OSCE welcomes not guilty verdict in Jehovah's Witness trial in Armenia

YEREVAN, 18 September 2001 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan welcomes the verdict of not guilty in the case brought against Levon Markaryan in the first instance court in Armavir. Mr. Markaryan was accused under article 244, part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia of organizing an unregistered religious group (Jehovah's witnesses), which involved minors.

The judge's verdict demonstrates a commitment on the part of the judiciary to defend an individual's right to freedom of religion and conscience in the Republic of Armenia. Such a commitment is to be applauded. The Office notes, however, that the prosecution has the right to appeal the verdict of the Court of First Instance.

Although welcoming the verdict, the OSCE Office continues to regret that the prosecution was launched in the first place. The Office hopes that the work in which it is currently involved with the Government, the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court to amend the Criminal Code and the Constitution, as well as on the new law on alternative military service, will prevent similar such prosecutions in the future - in particular the use of Article 244, Part1 of the current Criminal Code.

As part of its mandate to monitor the implementation of human rights in Armenia, the OSCE Office has been closely following the Court proceedings in Armavir since they opened in July.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, economic and environmental aspects of security and stability.

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For further information please contact Ms. Gohar Avagyan, Information Officer, OSCE Office in Yerevan, tel.: +374 1 54 10 62, +374 1 54 58 45; e-mail: gohar@osce.am.