PanARMENIAN.Net - Prominent lawyer and international human rights advocate Robert Amsterdam has called on the European Union to reassess its financial policy toward the Armenian government, citing a lack of legitimacy. He made the statement on his official Facebook page.
Amsterdam criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's administration for what he described as the illegal imprisonment of "Christian political prisoner Samvel Karapetyan" and for "attacks against the Armenian Apostolic Church, the country's largest religious institution."
"The EU must immediately halt its financial support to the Armenian government and initiate consultations on stopping the authorities' unlawful actions. Do not fund a government that lacks legitimacy," he wrote.
In a separate post, Amsterdam said his legal team has prepared a comprehensive report documenting alarming developments in Armenia.
"Our aim is clear: to expose the authorities' blatant deviation from the rule of law and political neutrality, which gravely undermines the democratic foundations of the country.
The report details how the case against Samvel Karapetyan is fabricated, a clear example of how legal norms and fundamental rights are blatantly disregarded to silence dissent.
This is a direct attack on anyone who dares to stand with the Church," the post reads.
The report is addressed to the UN Human Rights Council, the Council of Europe, EU bodies, and all international organizations committed to justice.
*On June 18, Samvel Karapetyan was arrested for two months and detained in Armavir prison, accused of making a "public call to seize the powers of the Armenian government." Just hours earlier, he had voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Source: PanArmenian.Net
