"When I write my report, I will be forced to take a very critical stance regarding the trials that have concluded and those which are just getting underway, that's to say the 'Case of the Seven'". This is an excerpt of the press conference given on November 22nd at the Marriot Hotel by Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner. Mr. Hammarberg is visiting Armenia to check on the progress of court cases surrounding the events of March 1st and to see that the Council's recommendations as to how the trials are handled are being observed by the Armenian government. In his statement, Commissioner Hammarberg noted that he wasn't convinced that the investigation and preliminary proceedings have been handled in a professional manner and found as unacceptable the publication of telephone transcripts of those in detention by employees of the National Security Service. He viewed this as a violation of the inviolability of their personal data. In addition, he stated that he had received pretty credible information that those testifying at the trials had been pressured to make statements more in line with the government's train of thought. Commissioner Hammarberg also expressed concern that a number of verdicts were based solely on police testimony and noted, " I am not at all saying that it is unacceptable in all cases to proceed based on police testimony. However, particularly in those cases where there is tension and conflict between the society and the police, then police testimony must be corroborated by additional evidence." He also expressed dismay over the fact that widely divergent verdicts have been handed down in cases that were quite similar. He made specific mention of the "Case of the Seven" and noted that he had discussed the matter with Armenia's President and Chief Prosecutor. Commenting on the case he noted that he had still not received damning evidence on which the court could find the seven guilty of "usurpation of state power". "When we familiarize ourselves with the prosecutorial conclusions, still in the completion stage, we will express our views as to whether there is a sufficient basis to initiate a court case." Regarding the upcoming January PACE session where the issue of Armenia's fulfillment of various requirements will be studied the Commissioner stated that, "Just as I am independent of the PACE structure so too is PACE independent of me. But I will make certain comments on the matter and provide testimony..." He added that there was still time for the Armenian government to make the necessary changes towards fulfillment of the deadline requirements.