YEREVAN, JUNE 11. ARMINFO. Head of the World Armenian Congress (WAC) Ara Abrahamyan has undertaken definite commitments to the Government of Equatorial Guinea i.e. to solve socio-economic problems of that country, in exchange for release of six Armenian pilots sentenced to long-years of imprisonment charged for an attempt of a state coup. WAC Representative, specialist in political science Andranik Mihranyan said at a press conferences in Yerevan. Mihranyan arrived in Malabo to accompany the Armenia pilots to the Motherland on the instruction of A.Abrahamyan.
In his turn, A.Abrahamyan confirmed this statement promising to fulfill all the commitments to the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. He said release of Armenian pilots was a victory of the Armenian people. Abrahamyan informed those present that he was asked by the Armenian Foreign Ministry to interfere into the process. He pointed out that no matter whose efforts were a success, the most important was that Armenia’s international image was not damaged. He said he had applied to Russian Foreign Minister, to UNESCO and even the Roman Pope John Paul II for mediation for amnesty of Armenian pilots. WAC Head emphasized the great contribution of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to the release of the pilots. Thus, he stated that Representative of the Armenian Foreign Ministry seven times visited Malabo and negotiated with the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. If even one link fell from this chain of persons and structures, this case would not be a success, he said. Abrahamyan also pointed out the importance of Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Russia stated at a press conference in Moscow that Armenian pilot might not be guilty, they might be used.
In his turn, Mihranyan told the details of his trip to that country. He told that arriving in Malabo, he met with Security Minister of that country who stated that Ara Abrahamyan did not fulfill part of his promises so the pilot could not be released. Mihranyan told he was scared of being imprisoned together with the pilots. Fortunately, the following day, the minister told that Ara Abrahamyan fulfilled his commitments and the pilots were released. Mihranyan admits that few people believed in the success of this case as citizens of Russia, Bulgaria and other states are currently in prisons in African states and being humiliated. He said that Armenian pilots behaved very good and did not give in morally.
In their turn, the Armenia pilots reiterated that they were not guilty in the crime. They told they had been kept in cells for 457 days put into irons, however those in prison were to some extent afraid of them and they were respected. “IF any devices were out of order in prison, we were often asked for help. After Ara Abrahamyan sent money and brandy for us through the brother-in- law of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the attitude of the prison guards sharply changed, they used to leave the door of the cells open. While, the head of the prison used to bring us beer from the shop. Of course, we paid him,” joked the Armenian pilots. They said in prison they undergo medical treatment and lived exclusively on the funds transferred by Ara Abrahanyan, though only 205 of these funds were given to them.
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