The Armenian government says Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and members of his opposition movement were preparing acts of terrorism and a violent seizure of power. But six United Nations human rights experts are not convinced. In an official communication to Armenia, the U.N. mandate holders questioned whether the authorities had taken political organizing and civil disobedience as signs of a conspiracy. The accusations mark a sharp escalation in tensions between the ruling administration and the opposition, which has been rallying supporters in Yerevan. Critics fear the government is using national security rhetoric to crack down on dissent. The UN has urged Armenia to respect fundamental freedoms while investigating any genuine threats.
Article source: armenianweekly.com | Image credit: The Armenian Weekly
