“Sarkis Dkhrouni” Student and Youth Union Calls for Release of Vardan Petrosyan from Pre-Trial Detention

YEREVAN — The S.D. Hunchakian “Sarkis Dkhrouni” Student and Youth Union issued a statement appealing to the judicial authorities of Armenia to reconsider their decision placing famous Armenian actor Vardan Petrosyan into pre-trial detention.

It is an indisputable fact that there has been a great tragedy with Vardan Petrosyan’s involvement in the car accident, which resulted in the death of two teenagers, an unforgivable and irreversible situation under any circumstance. However, in our opinion, it is immoral to keep an injured and ailing Vardan Petrosyan in prison, especially while getting full medical treatment outside of prison will not obstruct the investigation. In addition, the actor himself has stated he has no intention of leaving Armenia.

We urge an amendment to the decision placing Petrosyan in custody, enabling the great artist to wait for a verdict or at the very least, his freedom be deliberated at end of the investigation. At the same time, we consider this case to remain beyond any political consideration and exploitation to stay impartial in the legal and moral domain.