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Armenian diplomats work to secure release of 6 pilots from Eq.

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  • Armenian diplomats work to secure release of 6 pilots from Eq.

    ArmenPress
    Dec 1 2004

    ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS WORK TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF SIX PILOTS FROM
    EQUATORIAL GUINEA'S PRISON

    MALABO, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign ministry said two
    government officials who flew to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial
    Guinea, to monitor the trial of a group of alleged mercenaries,
    including six Armenian pilots, accused of being involved in a plot to
    overthrow that country's president are still in that West-African
    state discussing with its authorities the possible ways to secure the
    release of their country fellows, sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
    In a statement after the verdict was announced the Armenian
    ministry had said it will continue to make "every effort" to secure
    the release of its citizens. The Guinean defense lawyer of the pilots
    also said he would lodge an appeal against "the unfair verdict" with
    the Supreme Court.
    Captain Ashot Karapetian and five members of his aircrew were
    sentenced to 24 and 14 years respectively. All of them pleaded not
    guilty to the accusations.
    "We are absolutely convinced that the Armenian pilots had nothing
    to do with any action directed against Equatorial Guinea and its
    government, and the court has not brought any compelling evidence
    against them," the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement.
    The ministry said the two Armenian diplomats, a former Armenian
    ambassador to Egypt Sergey Manaserian and head of a government
    division Gevork Petrosian were allowed to visit the jailed pilots.
    The diplomats had already a meeting with Filiberto Entutumo, the
    leader of the ruling party and will meet also with top officials of
    that country's foreign ministry to present the Armenian government's
    request to review the case of the pilots.
    The diplomats are also maintaining everyday contacts with the
    pilots' lawyer, who has not yet been given the written decision of
    the court in order to take the case to the Supreme Court.
    Lawyers for South-African nationals as well as representatives of
    the Amnesty International have not been either given the written
    verdict.
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