Print this pageFor Immediate Release
April 19, 2002
Armenian High Court upholds not guilty verdict
in trial of Jehovah’s Witness
YEREVAN, Armenia—The six-member panel of the Court of Cassation, Armenia’s highest court, upheld both not guilty verdicts of the Court of first instance and the Appeal Court in the trial of Lyova Margaryan. The Prosecutor’s Office had charged Mr. Margaryan under Article 244 of the criminal code for his activity as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and it subsequently appealed each not guilty verdict. The High Court’s unanimous ruling effectively closes the matter and is not subject to appeal.
Mr. Margaryan was visibly relieved as the Court read the ruling. “I'm happy that this year-and-a-half ordeal has finally come to an end. My wife and I and our three children can now carry on with our lives and Christian activity in peace. I hope this ruling serves as a precedent protecting the Constitutional rights and freedoms of other Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as all citizens of Armenia.”
Appearing on behalf of Mr. Margaryan was Canadian human rights lawyer John Burns. “The High Court’s ruling clearly shows that Armenia is moving to fulfill its commitments to the Council of Europe,” stated Mr. Burns immediately after the hearing. “Today’s ruling was a good first step. We now look forward to the government legally registering Jehovah’s Witnesses and the release of the over 20 imprisoned Jehovah’s Witnesses, classified by the Council of Europe as ‘prisoners of conscience.’”
Jehovah’s Witnesses are an internationally recognized Christian religion. There are over six million active members worldwide, with more than seven thousand in Armenia. They are officially recognized in 150 countries, including all those of Europe. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly recognized Jehovah’s Witnesses as a “known religion.”
Contact: J. R. Brown, telephone: (718) 560-5600