Unless March 1 crimes are solved, freedom of speech restored and political prisoners released in Armenia, political situation in the country will remain poisoned, representative of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) to Council of Europe Arman Grigoryan told the reporters on December 27.

According to him,  the Armenian authorities failed to fulfill four resolutions adopted by PACE on Armenia after March 1 events, particularly the killers of ten people were not disclosed and people are still kept in jail for their political views. Besides, A1+ TV Company denied broadcasting license again and freedom of rallies is again restricted.  “The release of several political prisoners was a result of external pressure,” the ANC representative said.

He predicted the pressure on Armenia will soon increase on Armenia from the beginning of the year. “In January 2011, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg will arrive in Armenia on a fact-finding mission and in February PACE Co-Rapporteur on Armenia will visit the country. They will prepare a report, which is likely to be discussed at the spring session of Council of Europe.,” Grigoryan said.

“There is no occasion to say very positive and optimistic things. I hope these minimum requirements will be met next year and this shameful problem, specifically the presence of political prisoners in the country will be solved,” he noted.