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ARM12722-301002
30 October 2002


ARMENIA: Conscientious objector sentenced to 18 months in prison


War Resisters' International learned today that Armenian conscientious objector Vagan Bayatyan was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a court in the Erebuni and Nubarashena district on 29 October.
Vagan Bayatyan, a Jehovah's Witness, wrote a formal letter declaring his refusal to perform military service before this year's autumn call-up in September. Soon afterwards he was arrested. According to a report by PRIMA News Agency, presiding judge Anan Petrosyan called Bayatyan a "persistent draft dodger".


Armenia has not yet introduced legislation on conscientious objection, although it is supposed to do so as a member state of the Council of Europe.


War Resisters' International calls for protest letters to the Armenian authorities, and Armenian embassies abroad.


President Robert Kocharian
Respublika Armenia
375019g. Yerevan
pr. Marshala Bagramiana, 26
Prezidentu Kocharianu, R.
ARMENIA
Fax: +374-152 1581, 152 1796, 115 1152


War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objector Vagan Bayatyan, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.


Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International


War Resisters' International
Conscientious Objection and Conscription Documentation Centre
5 Caledonian Road * London N1 9DY * Britain
Tel.: +44 20 7278 4040 * Fax: +44 20 7278 0444
Email:  concodoc@wri-irg.org *  http://wri-irg.org





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