YEREVAN. – The supporters of second President Robert Kocharyan on Friday submitted their 28-point petition to the Office of the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia.

In their words, Kocharyan is a political prisoner, and they want the Ombudsman to express his position on the concerns that are raised in this document.

The deputy press secretary of the Ombudsman said this complaint will be reviewed in accordance with the law on the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

And attorney Vahe Yepikyan told reporters that they want Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan to react to the unlawful actions being taken against Kocharyan.

“Pressure has been applied on the courts, right before all of our eyes,” he added, in particular. “There has never been such a precedent—neither in Armenia nor in any other country.”

On March 1 and 2, 2008 the then authorities of Armenia used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown capital city Yerevan, and against the results of the presidential election on February 19, 2008. Eight demonstrators as well as two servicemen of the internal troops were killed in the clashes.

Second President Robert Kocharyan is charged with overthrowing the constitutional order in Armenia in connection with the aforesaid events, and taking a particularly large bribe.

The Criminal Court of Appeal overturned the first instance court’s decision on releasing Kocharyan from custody, and it ruled that he be remanded in custody yet again.