Vazgen Manukyan charged with public calls for violent overthrow of government

YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. Vazgen Manukyan, a leader of the Homeland Salvation Movement, an alliance of opposition parties demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, was summoned and questioned today by Armenia's Investigative Committee.

According to the press service of the Investigative Committee, Manukyan was questioned as part of a criminal case initiated into public calls for violent overthrow of the government he made during February 12 and 20 rallies.

Speaking at a February 20 rally Manukyan said the opposition must be ready any moment -- it could be today, one week later or ten days later --for revolting and taking power at lightning speed.

Manukyan is charged under Article 301 of Armenia's Criminal Code. As a preventive measure, the 75-year old Manukyan was asked to promise in written not to leave the country pending the end of investigation.

Manukyan later told reporters that the criminal case against him is a political persecution. He added that he refused to testify and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

Manukian had served as Armenia’s prime minister and defense minister in the early 1990s. The Homeland Salvation Movement has nominated him for the post of interim prime minister to prepare national elections should Pashinyan resign or is forced to do so.-0-