Around 60 Armenian and Russian art and culture figures have issued a statement on Robert Kocharyan. We learned this from the Facebook page of the 2nd RA President.

The statement reads:

“President Kocharyan’s Freedom Committee has released a statement of about 60 Armenian and Russian art and culture figures calling for the release of Robert Kocharyan, the first President of the Artsakh Republic and the second President of the Republic of Armenia.

The full text of the announcement below:

Announcement of Armenian cultural and art workers

We do not give assessments. We do not go in the legal nuances. We do not take the position of a judge. Each of us does his/her job in his/her arena. We are not a litigant.

But we are citizens, and we are concerned about the moral and psychological climate of our country. The anti-cultural atmosphere of wickedness, hatred, and hostility.

It is incomprehensible for us to keep President Kocharyan in prison during the trial. We have not heard any justification that if he is released, he will avoid justice. We are convinced on the contrary,.

We appreciate Robert Kocharyan’s contribution to the establishment of Armenian statehood. Most of us know him personally. We cannot ignore what is happening. We find that the current status of the president is unnatural and does not contribute to the credibility of the state and the recovery of the public atmosphere. We offer solidarity, a step towards the future. We propose to change the precautionary measure of President Robert Kocharyan.

Arthur Grigoryan, People’s Artist of the RA, composer,

Armen Martirosyan, Honored Art Worker of the RA, Composer, Musician, Producer,

Artashes Shahbazyan, writer,

Alla Levonyan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Ani Hakobyan, theatrical expert,

Ashot Gevorgyan, actor, director,

Avet Barseghyan, Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, Host, Poet,

Avo Khalatyan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer, Announcer,

Arame, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Arman Hovhannisyan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Arminka, singer,

Arsen Grigoryan, singer, actor,

Ashugh Voskehour,

Anush Mazmanyan, dance teacher,

Gaya Arzumanyan, singer,

Gayane Hovhannisyan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Gegham Manukyan, “Yerkir Media” TV Company, Director of Media and Public-Political Programs, Political Commentator,

Gohar Gasparyan, TV presenter,

Guzh Manukyan, People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR,

Grisha Ohanyan, Sound Director,

Eric Karapetyan, singer,

Lira Kocharyan, producer, founder of “Artsakh Voices”,

Luiza Ghambaryan, Honored Artist of the RA,

Karen Gevorgyan, Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Armenia, President of the Union of Dance Art Artists of Armenia, Artistic Director of the Honored Collective “Berd” Dance Ensemble of Armenia,

Karen Hambardzumyan, “Karen Sevak” Production,

Christina Avagimyan, dance teacher,

Hayko, RA Honored Artist, songwriter, singer,

Harutyun Harutyunyan, prose writer,

Hmayak Rostomyan, Sound Director,

Hovhannes Nersesyan, Opera singer and deacon, 2013 Presidential Award winner,

Hrach Keshishyan, Honored Worker of Culture of the RA, Director, Producer,

Mano Grigoryan, actress, dancer

Mushegh Mailyan, arranger,

Norayr Amalyan, musician, instrumentalist,

Nune Yesayan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Razmik Amyan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Razmik Davoyan, poet,

Robert Margaryan, musician,

Samvel Grigoryan, singer, announcer,

Sargis Grigoryan, actor, announcer,

Sergey Grigoryan, actor

Susan Margaryan, Honored Artist of Armenia, Singer,

Spartak Karabaghian, journalist, historian, publicist, screenwriter,

Sevak Melkonyan, “Karen Sevak” Production,

Vazgen Asatryan, Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Armenia,

Vahe Begoyan, singer, conductor,

Vache Hoveyan, violinist, laureate of international competitions,

Vardan Achemyan, Honored Art Worker of the RA, Composer,

Varduhi Aleksanyan, dance teacher, TV presenter,

Varsham Gevorgyan, actor.

A similar statement was signed by the following Armenian figures living in Russia:

Alexander Akopov – Chairman of the Board of the Russian Film and Television Producers Association

Roman Babayan – TV presenter (NTV), Member of Moscorduma

Tina Kandelaki – TV presenter, Director General of “Match TV”

Tigran Keosayan – film director, actor, TV presenter

Stas Namin – musician, composer and producer, artist, film and theater director

Margarita Simonyan – Editor-in-Chief of “Russia Today” TV

Sati Spivakova – actress, TV presenter, writer

Dmitry Kharatyan – actor, People’s Artist of Russia

Karen Shahnazarov – Filmmaker, Chairman and General Director of “Mosfilm” Cinema Concern