On July 28, Hetq wrote about a public statement made by Hayk Khanoumyan, President of the Artsakh European Movement NGO, in which he accuses the authorities in Artsakh of carrying out scare tactics against his relatives and supporters. (Artsakh NGO Prez Calls for Ouster of RA Police Chief).

Mr. Khanoumyan also claimed that RA Police Chief Alik Sargsyan had also participated in attempts to intimidate him into silence.

In a conversation with Hetq, Davit Ishkhanyan, representative of the ARF's Aparazh Central Committee, and Artsakh MP Arevik Petrosyan, presented their views on the matter.

According to Ishkhanyan, the accusations of repression are not credible.

"We have collaborated with Hayk Khanoumyan a year ago. All I can say is that we organized a conference. As to the repression, I really don't believe that it ois possible today to hound someone or persecute them for this or that. Years ago such things happened and the ARF was one of the organizations persecuted," said Ishkhanyan.

Artsakh MP Arevik Petrosyan said the Khanoumyan issue is more a question of freedom of speech than any political persecution.

"If a person seeks to struggle against the government apparatus, then they must be ready for a number of countermeasures and challenges," said Petrosyan, adding that he doesn't think the Artsakh authorities are out to get Khanoumyan. The MP says it's more a matter of a few government functionaries who are opposed to Khanoumyan and that, in any event, he hasn't witnesses any serious acts of persecution.

MP Petrosyan told Hetq that he had advised Khanoumyan to petition the courts for being dismissed from his teaching post at the Artsakh State University.

The legislator said he's ready to assist Khanoumyan in any way he can.

Hetq also spoke with Aleksandr Badalov, Coordinator of the Helsinki Initiative 92's Artsakh Youth Program.

Badalov said that he's known Khanoumyan for three years.

"It's very encouraging that Khanoumyan mentions specific names and evidence in his articles. He represents the ideals of freedom of speech and democracy at their best. It would be great if there were more like him engaged in the social process."