UCD calls on Armenia`s authorities to release Armen Ashotyan 

ArmInfo.The International Union of Centrist Democrats (CDI) called on the Armenian authorities to 

immediately release the political prisoner, former Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia, Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party (RPA) Armen Ashotyan.  This is stated in a statement by Lilit Beglaryan, chairman of the external relations committee of the Union of Centrist Democrats (UCD).

According to Beglaryan, on the eve of the court hearing of the 

anti-corruption court to extend or cancel Ashotyan's detention, the 

SDC issued a statement in which it expressed serious concern about 

political persecution in Armenia.

The statement said that the International Union of Centrist Democrats 

(CDI) condemns the politically motivated persecution of opposition 

figures by the Armenian authorities. The organization demands the 

immediate release of Armen Ashotyan, a political prisoner against 

whom, according to CDI, criminal charges have been fabricated. CDI 

also calls for full independence of the judiciary and for a fair, 

transparent and independent trial of Ashotyan and other Armenian 

opposition leaders.

On June 15, 2023, Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia 

Armen Ashotyan was arrested for two months. A day earlier, he was 

detained as part of criminal proceedings regarding alleged abuses 

committed at the Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar 

Heratsi. Ashotyan himself does not admit guilt, and considers what is 

happening to be open and cynical political persecution.