Arrests of Goris Mayor and Deputy Mayor Attempt to Break National Resistance, Says Supporters

Enemies have reached Goris from three sides; it is already a fact that we have a border line in Goris. In the current conditions, initiating criminal cases and arresting mayors and deputy mayors disrupts the organizational work of the communities and creates additional risks. This was stated by Zakhar Khojabaghyan, the coordinator of the public initiative supporting Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan, during a meeting with journalists.

“About 9,400 people participated in the signature campaign demanding the release of Arush Arushanyan in Goris, not counting the displaced Artsakh residents living in the city, who are also calling for his release,” he detailed.

Arush Arushanyan's lawyer, Armen Melikonyan, recalled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that the justice system should take into account the people's opinion. “The greatest test of these words will be during the upcoming court hearing when the Goris court is set to consider the issue of Arush Arushanyan's pre-trial measure. The will of the people is encapsulated in the substantial case file, and that very justice system, according to the Prime Minister's words, is simply obliged to take this will into account,” the lawyer said.

According to the speakers, the arrests of the mayor and the deputy mayor of Goris are also an attempt to break national resistance.