"The struggle continues," Armenia's former Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanian announced when leaving the courtroom today. He was set free with one of his associates Suren Sirunian.
The prosecutor in the case had demanded to sentence Alexander Arzumanian and Suren Sirunian to 6 and 5 years of imprisonment respectively.
Though the advocates demanded the Court to acquit the defendants Judge Mnatsakan Martirosian today returned a verdict of guilty sentencing Arzumanian to five and Sirunian to 4 years of prison.
However, they were released right from the courtroom thanks to the general pardon.
In the yard, Alexander Arzumanian and Suren Sirunian were welcomed by their relatives, adherents and members of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK). Sargis Qloyan, the father of March 1 victim Gor Qloyan, was among the presentees.
"I have always seconded you," Sargis Qloyan said to Alexander Arzumanian.
Alexander Arzumanian and Suren Sirunian thanked everyone who had backed them for a year.
Then Arzumanian apologizes to the reporters for not answering their questions as they were hurrying to meet their released friend Miasnik Malkhasian near the Statue of Miasnikian.
After a year's sentence term Alexander Arzumanian, Miasnik Malkahsian and Suren Sirunian met near the statue where they had last met on March 1, 2008.
Released MP Hakob Hakobian didn't join them as he set out to Abovyan to learn the verdict on the case of MP Sasun Mikaelian. The latter wasn't granted pardon and the prosecutor demanded nine years' imprisonment for Sasun Mikaelian. Later Alexander Arzumanian, Miasnik Malkahsian and Suren Sirunian joined Hakob Hakobian in Abovyan. They promised to have a meeting with people near the Statue of Saryan at 6.00 p.m. After the group departed the public kept shouting: "Struggle till the end!"