Below is an interview that Hetq conducted with Vahagn Chakhalyan, Director of the “United Javakhk” democratic alliance, who is now being held in a Georgian detention center

-You have pointed out that you have been subjected to political persecution and have stated that your activities have been deemed as a threat that has led to the Georgian authorities harassing you and activists involved in “United Javakhk”.

-I really don’t believe that my actions pose any threat in terms of the territorial integrity of Georgia. However, for some inexplicable reason, the fact of our independent existence seems to be of concern to all without exception.

-There’s also a theory circulating in the press that the persecution of you and your friends is the result of enmity between “United Javakhk” and the police chief. Do you agree with this hypothesis?

-I don’t believe that we have been in conflict with anyone on an individual level. We clearly declared the positions of “United Javakhk” as early as our 2006 congress. If the police chief holds positions in opposition to our national programs that’s his problem. To link the explosion in front of his house to us is simply absurd.

-Some link the persecutions of the “United Javakhk” activists to the imminent Georgian-Ossetian conflict. That’s to say, to silence the activists of “United Javakhk” in order to do away with another source threatening Georgian territorial integrity. Do you share this opinion?

-It is totally possible, since I haven’t been able to come up with any other explanation for my detention. I became more convinced of this when one of the members of the group investigating the event of August 7, 2008, told me that, “we will send your case to court this evening after the capture of Tskhinvali and until the end of August you will take care of your business and we’ll take care of ours.”

-You and Artur Poghosyan have been arrested. The whereabouts of Gourgen Shirinyan are unknown. In essence, “United Javakhk” has been dissolved. Why is it that the organization wasn’t able to continue its activities or struggle without you? Weren’t there others to continue its work, so that it wouldn’t fall apart?

-The steps to dissolve “United Javakhk” began as far back as 2006. Some of the members of “United Javakhk” became disillusioned and left Javakhk for Russia. Some are working in government agencies and a group of 5-6 activists, led by Albert Maranjyan, are in hiding. We make up another group.

-How do you picture the future of “United Javakhk”?

-It’s rather difficult to imagine what the future of the organization will be given that my fate and that of the other supporters isn’t clear.

-Once the court case is closed and you’re back on the outside will you resume your former activities and work? In other words, will the Georgian authorities have won out in terms of harassing you into silence?

-I think it must be clear by known that the Georgian authorities haven’t been able to silence me. Thus, I will naturally carry on with my work, whether from the inside of a jail cell, as a free man, or from somewhere in exile.

-Mr. Chakhalyan, you are constantly being charged with new crimes that really go back 2 or three years. Why do you think these charges weren’t investigated immediately after the alleged incidents themselves?

-You should direct that question to the Georgian authorities. But, in my view, the reason is that back then “United Javakhk” was a powerful organization and the international political climate wasn’t conducive for such charges to be brought.

-The Borjomi Public Prosecutor has opened a new criminal case but no one is aware of the subject matter. How do you think the new case ties in with yours?

-I have no clue as to the essence of this new case. I believe it’s designed to postpone or delay my court investigation for a certain period of time.

-What are the conditions like in jail? Are you being subject to pressures there as well?

-Jail conditions aren’t that favorable, the system is draconian, but there haven’t been direct cases of ill-treatment.

-Do you receive proposal in jail to secure your freedom or that would insure that you could leave Javakhk without hindrance?

-No such offers have been made.

-Mr. Chakhalyan, how do you evaluate the stance of the Armenian side and that of the Armenian authorities regarding “United Javakhk” and your arrest? What expectations do you have of them?

-I cannot say anything, I have no expectations.

-You now find yourself in jail while your party colleagues are on the outside, enjoying their freedom. Besides Artur Poghosyan, are you aware of the support of your friends on the outside, is their solidarity tangible?

-Yes, I can really feel their support.