• Prosecution team determined to convict father of three under tyrannical Khrushchev-era law - (20.11.2001)
• Charismatic pastor freed but case continues C (14.11.2001)
• Updated list of conscientious objectors to military service in prison C (14.11.2001)
• Chronology of continuing discrimination and persecution of Jehovahs Witnesses in Armenia C (20.09.2001)
• Armenian prosecutor appeals acquittal of Jehovahs Witness C (12.11.2001)
• Prosecutors pursue case against acquitted Jehovah's Witness - (11.10.2001)
• Will Apostolic Church get concordat? - (27.09.2001)
• Armenia court clears Jehovah's Witness - (18.09.2001)
• Verdict next week in Jehova's witness trial - (12.09.2001)
• Jehovah's Witness persecuted for religious beliefs, claim defence lawyers (27.08.2001)
• Accused Jehovahs Witness testifies in Armenia (21.08.2001)
• Conscientious objector convicted in Armenia (09.08.2001)
• Khruschevite' Charge against Medzamor Jehovahs Witness C (10.07.2001)
• Armenia reaffirms national Christianity but despite () - (25.06.2001)
• Updated list of imprisoned conscientious objectors to military service - (22.02.2001)
• Fact-finding mission denounces the appalling situation of conscientious objectors - (20.02.2001)
• What options for conscientious objectors in Armenia ? - (07.02.2001)
• An agreement between the State and the Armenian Apostolic Church in preparation -(25.01.2001)

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Prosecution team determined to convict father of three under tyrannical Khrushchev-era law

JW Office of Public Information (20.11.2001)/HRWF International Secretariat (21.11.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Despite a verdict of not guilty on September 18 in the court of first instance, the ongoing judicial harassment of Lyova Margaryan due to practicing his religion as one of Jehovahs Witnesses is far from over. The prosecutor appealed this decision, and although the hearing was scheduled to be heard on Monday, November 19, it was delayed until Wednesday, November 21, at noon due to Judge Artur Poghosyan, one member of the three panel court, falling ill. Mr. Margaryan, a father of three faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

The law, drafted during the Soviet Krushchev-era, treats activities of unregistered religions and certain issues regarding the question of conscientious objection as criminal. Most republics of the former Soviet Union, including Russia, have long since repealed this law labeling it as tyrannical. Although Armenia has adamantly refused to either register Jehovahs Witnesses or pass a law on conscientious objection since gaining independence in 1991, it is nevertheless prosecuting Mr. Margaryan on the basis of this law, in a throwback to the circular reasoning employed in prosecution during the Soviet era, in which numerous Jehovahs Witnesses were convicted.

Ironically, the letter from the prosecutor-generals office of Armenia demanding that materials be gathered for the prosecution of Mr. Margaryan under this law is dated January 26 of this year, one day after Armenia became a signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights. In its application for membership to the Council of Europe, Armenia acknowledged its obligation to ensure that all Churches or religious communities, in particular those referred to as non-traditional, may practice their religion without discrimination.

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Keston Institute (14.11.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (16.11.2001) C Website: www.hrwf.net/ Email: info@hrwf.net - The pastor of Yerevan's Warriors of Christ charismatic church, Shogher Khachatryan, was freed on 15 October after three months in a basement investigation cell of the National Security Ministry in Yerevan, she told
Keston News Service from the Armenian capital on 9 November.

Although she said she had been cut off from all access to her family or her church during her imprisonment, she said she had not been beaten or mistreated. However, the case against her on charges of swindling continues, although she believes it will soon be closed. "I'm not guilty of these charges," she insisted to Keston. "I don't know why the case was initiated against me. Maybe it was because of the celebrations of 1,700
years since Christianity became Armenia's state religion or maybe it is because I'm an active Christian."

(Keston News Service: http://www.keston.org/)

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JW Office of Public Information (20.09.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (16.11.2001) C Website: www.hrwf.net/ Email: info@hrwf.net - Currently, there are sixteen male Jehovahs Witnesses in prison for their conscientious refusal of military service on religious grounds. They are willing, however, to perform alternative civilian service. The names, dates of imprisonment, sentences, grounds (under criminal code[1][1]) and locations are as follows:

Khachatur Zakaryan, February 3, 2000, 255a, 3 years, Kosh corrective labour colony;

Amayak Karapetyan, November 3, 2000, 255a, 3? years, Kosh corrective labour colony;

Arman Atanyan, December 19, 2000, 257a, 3? years, Kosh corrective labour colony;

Vahan Mkroyan, December 21, 2000, 255a, 3 years, Artik corrective labour colony;

Armen Yeghiazaryan, March 30, 2001, 255a, 3 years, Kosh corrective labour colony;

*Vladimir Kiroyan, June 12, 2001, 214 I[2][2], 8 months, Stepanakert isolator (Nagorno-Karabakh);

*Vladimir Osipyan, June 12, 2001, 214 I, 1 year conditionally, Stepanakert isolator (Nagorno-Karabakh);

*Edgar Bagdasaryan, June 13, 2001, 214 I, ? year, Stepanakert isolator (Nagorno-Karabakh);

Aram Shahverdyan, August 9, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Sovetashen prison;

Vachagan Hovhannisyan, August 16, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Sovetashen prison;

Karen Vardanyan, September 3, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Sovetashen prison;

Samvel Vardanyan, September 5, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Sovetashen prison;

Karapet Haroutiunyan, September 7, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Sovetashen prison;

Mesrop Mirzoyan, September 14, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Sovetashen prison;

Gevorg Palyan, September 12, 2001, 75 I, 1 year, Sovetashen prison;

Sanasar Tovmasyan,September 11, 2001, 75 I, 2 years, Gyumri prison.

Two young men have been arrested and are awaiting their trial:

Henrik Simonyan, written undertaking not to leave a place since August 7, 2001;

Aramais Arakelyan, written undertaking not to leave a place since August 7, 2001.

There are five Jehovahs Witnesses who had been in prison for refusal of military service but were released after serving a part of their sentence. They are still under arrest but are allowed to live at home on the condition they report regularly to local police. The names, dates of release from the prison, sentences, grounds (according criminal code1) and portions of sentences served in prison are given below:

Armen Asoyan, December 6, 1999, 255a, 3 years, served 1/3 of the sentence

(now on medical treatment because of acquired tuberculosis);

Gagik Ohanyan, February 15, 2000, 257a, 3 years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Artur Stepanyan, October 19, 2000, 255a, 3? years, served 2/3 of the sentence;

Vardan Virabyan, May 21, 2001, 257a, 4 years (2nd prison term), served 2/3 of the sentence;

Vitali Usubov, June 5, 2001, 4 ? years, 257a, served 2/3 of the sentence.

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16 January 1999 C 14 December 2000

JW Office of Public Information (20.09.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (16.11.2001) C Website: www.hrwf.net/ Email: info@hrwf.net

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JW Office of Public Information (12.11.2001) HRWF International Secretariat (14.11.2001) C Website: www.hrwf.net/ Email: info@hrwf.net - On November 14, the Appeal Court of the Republic of Armenia will consider an appeal from the Prosecutors Office against Judge Mamvel Simonyans decision of September 18 to acquit Lyova Margaryan of all criminal charges under Article 244 of the Armenian Criminal Code.

Margaryan is being prosecuted for his religious activity as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

In their written appeal, Prosecutors Minasyan and Hovhannisyan insist that the court wrongly interpreted the law and that Margaryan is guilty under Article 244. In response Margaryans lawyers state: The prosecutor is trying to reinstitute the Soviet policy of terror and mass persecution of religious believers.

Article 244 was introduced in the early 1960s as part of an anti-religion campaign initiated by Nikita Khrushchev. In 1991 the Russia Federation repealed the same article from the former Criminal Code of Russia by the law On Exonerating Victims of Political Persecution. The preamble to this law states: During the years of Soviet power millions of people became the victims of the tyranny of the totalitarian State, and were subject to persecution for political and religious convictions, and on social, national, and other bases. Condemning the many-year terror and mass persecution of its people as incompatible with the ideas of law and justice, the Supreme Soviet expresses its deep sympathy to victims of unwarranted persecution, their friends and relatives, and declares its unwavering aspiration to achieve real guarantees ensuring legality and human rights. Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses were rehabilitated and compensated under this law.

This case has drawn international media attention and comments from human rights organizations. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in its press release of September 18, 2001, stated: Although welcoming the verdict, the OSCE Office continues to regret that the prosecution was launched in the first place.

Amnesty International issued a public statement following the trial that warned: The mere fact that [Lyova] Margaryan was charged under these provisions sends a worrying signal for the future of religious freedom in Armenia. If convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, Amnesty International would have considered [Lyova] Margaryan a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely on account of his non-violent religious activities.

Jehovahs Witnesses are an internationally recognized Christian religion. There are over 6 million active members, with more than 7,000 in Armenia. They are officially recognized in 150 countries. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly described Jehovahs Witnesses as a known religion entitled to protection of the European Convention of Human Rights.

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by Felix Corley

Keston News Service (11.10.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (12.10.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Despite his acquittal last month by the regional court in the town of Armavir near Yerevan, Jehovah's Witness Levon Markaryan is set to face a new hearing as prosecutors continue their attempt to send him to jail.

Markaryan's lawyer Rustam Khachatryan told Keston News Service from the Armenian capital on 11 October that prosecutors Sedrak Minasyan and Karlen Hovhanisyan lodged an appeal against the acquittal at the Appeal Court in Yerevan on 3 October. 'No date has yet been fixed, but we expect a hearing within the next weeks,' Khachatryan declared.

Keston contacted the prosecutor's office in Armavir on 11 October, but Minasyan declined to come to the telephone to explain why he and his colleague had decided to appeal against the acquittal.

An official of the appeal court chancellery in Yerevan told Keston on 11 October that the prosecution appeal had reached the court but the case file had not. 'Only once we get the file will the court chairman select the judge to hear the case, and then the judge will name the date for the hearing,' the official declared.

Markaryan, a 50-year-old father of four who works at the Medzamor nuclear power station, was accused under Article 244 of the Criminal Code of 'enticing' minors into a group 'whose activity, carried on under the guise of preaching religious doctrines and performing religious rituals, is connected with causing harm to citizens' health or with other infringements of the person and rights of citizens'. The article carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment. The prosecution - as well as the National Security Ministry (the former KGB) and the government's committee for religious affairs, which were both involved in the case - objected to the presence of children at Jehovah's Witness meetings in the town of Medzamor and the fact that members of the community declined to conduct military service on the grounds of conscience.

In the wake of Markaryan's acquittal on 18 September, the Yerevan office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe welcomed the verdict and argued that the case should never have been brought in the first place (see KNS 19 September 2001).

'The prosecutors were very cunning,' Khachatryan declared, 'lodging the appeal right at the deadline, hoping we would not notice. However, we were watching closely.' He told Keston that although the Jehovah's Witnesses expected the prosecutors to appeal against the acquittal, they believed there were no grounds. 'Everything has already been covered at the first hearing and Levon was acquitted. There is no basis to the accusation.' Khachatryan reported that he had already lodged an objection with the appeal court against the further proceedings, though he was not optimistic that the appeal court would reject the appeal without a hearing.

Khachatryan declared that Markaryan took the news of the appeal calmly. 'He had expected it. He says he is not guilty, so they can't do anything to him.'

The investigation of Markaryan under Article 244 - a provision which dates back to the anti-religious persecutions under then Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev - began in November last year. The criminal case was instituted in March. In the wake of the acquittal, Markaryan had complained to Keston that the case against him had already been dragging on for nearly a year. 'The prosecutors won't leave it and we expect the case to go to the end,' Khachatryan declared.

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Keston Institute (27.09.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (28.09.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Eighteen months after representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government signed a document preparing for a concordat between Church and state, Keston News Service has learnt that there has been no visible progress towards that concordat.

The document set up working groups to hammer out conditions for Church-state collaboration in several areas, but disagreements have led to delay. Catholic Archbishop Nerses Der-Nersessian told Keston of his concern about the proposed concordat: 'The state should give freedom to other denominations. Armenia is a member of the United Nations, so it cannot oblige people to be members of the Apostolic Church.'

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Armenia court clears Jehovah's Witness

by Avet Demourian

AP (18.09.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (20.09.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - A leader of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Armenia was acquitted Tuesday of charges of forcing young people to evade military service and recruiting members to the religious group.

After a two-month trial, the court cited a lack of evidence in the case of Levon Markarian, a court spokesman said. He had faced up to five years in prison.

Markarian was charged with "infringement on citizens' rights." Prosecutors said he prompted young members of the Jehovah's Witnesses to refuse Armenia's mandatory army service for religious reasons, and lured members to his group even though it has been refused registration by Armenian authorities.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been seeking registration since the group became active in Armenia with the 1991 collapse of the atheist Soviet regime.

Although Armenia's constitution provides for freedom of religion, it is difficult for new groups to register and the rules favor the dominant Armenian Apostolic Church.

Jehovah's Witnesses say they have been raided repeatedly by police, and about 20 Armenian members have been sentenced to prison terms for refusing military service. Government officials deny discrimination, saying they were only enforcing Armenia's mandatory draft.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe hailed Tuesday's verdict, and expressed hope that a new draft law on alternative military service would prevent similar prosecutions.

"The verdict demonstrates a commitment on the part of the judiciary to defend an individual's right to freedom of religion and conscience. Such a commitment is to be applauded," the OSCE's office in Yerevan said in a statement.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have faced difficulties in many former Soviet republics, where traditional churches struggling to rebuild followings have used government ties to restrict activities of nontraditional groups.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has sought to smooth over tensions this year because of celebrations marking Armenia's 1700th anniversary of its conversion to Christianity. Pope John Paul II is to join the celebrations next week during a visit aimed at fostering reconciliation among Christian denominations.

Verdict next week in Jehova's witness trial

HRWF International Secretariat (12.09.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Although the closing hearing in the case against Jehovah's Witness Levon Markaryan took place today (11 September) the judge has withheld a verdict until 11 am on 18 September.

The head of the court chancellery told Keston News Service that she did not know the reason for the delay, and the judge gave no reason to the court. It appears that both the government's State Committee for Religious Affairs and the National Security Ministry (the Armenian successor to the KGB) have been involved in the case.

Jehovahs Witness persecuted for religious beliefs

claim defence lawyers

JW Office of Public Information (27.08.2001)/ HRWF (30.08.2001) - HRWF International Secretariat (09.08.2001) - Website: http://hrwf.net - Email info@hrwf.net - Defence lawyers in the trial of Lyova Margaryan presented evidence to show that the criminal charges against him are based on a Soviet anti-religion law aimed at persecuting people for their religious beliefs, the court heard today. A decision in the trial of Lyova Margaryan is expected in mid-September after Margaryan completed his testimony in the Armavir regional court. Judge Mamvel Simonyan again rejected two motions that were presented for a second time by Prosecutor Minasyan when the prosecutor failed to explain their relevance to the criminal charges against Lyova Margaryan.

Lyova Margaryan is charged with infringement of individual and civil rights and freedoms under Article 244(1) of Armenias Soviet-era Criminal Code. Sos Grigoryan, lawyer for the defence, produced historical documentation showing that since 1991 many other former Soviet republics have removed this crime from their statute books. Under the Russian Federation Law of 18 October 1991, No. 1761-1 On the rehabilitation of victims of political persecution actions classified by the criminal charge now being used to prosecute Lyova Margaryan were declared to lack any danger to the public and those convicted under it were completely exonerated. This law describes those convicted under the charge as victims of the tyranny of a totalitarian State who were persecuted for their religious beliefs. Numerous Jehovahs Witnesses were rehabilitated and compensated under this law.

The trial is adjourned until September 11 to allow both sides time to prepare their closing arguments.

Accused Jehovahs Witness testifies in Armenia

www.jw-media.org (21.08.2001)/ HRWF (22.08.2001) - HRWF International Secretariat (09.08.2001) - Website :http://www.hrwf.net C Email :info@hrwf.net - Yesterday in the Armavir regional court Lyova Margaryan stood in the witness box and denied the charges against him. I am accused under Article 244 of the Armenian Criminal Code for practicing my religious beliefs. I am proud to be one of Jehovahs Witnesses, he declared. Margaryan described the charge of luring young people into attending religious meetings of an unregistered religion as having no basis. I am responsible for my children and I would be insulted if anyone interferes with my right. Youngsters who attend our religious meetings do so with their parents permission, he stated. Margaryan rejected as nonsense the criminal charge that he influenced members to refuse their civic duties.

Earlier the Mayor of Metsamor, Meruzhan Karazyan, informed the court that, following verbal complaints from inhabitants of Metsamor, on April 5, 2000 he sent a letter to schools expressing concern that a childs education is hindered when taught by a sect. However, he admitted, Priests are allowed to teach in schools. The Mayor testified that he had received no complaints against Lyova Margaryan and added that he knew nothing about the charges.

Judge Mamvel Simonyan reminded the court that Jehovahs Witnesses should be referred by their name not as a sect.

Presenting two separate motions the prosecutor called eight witnesses from a child custody case involving one of Jehovahs Witnesses, then asked for an expert from a religious faculty in Armenia to testify in court. The Judge rejected both motions, deciding that they were irrelevant to the criminal charges against Margaryan.

The Prosecutor requested four days to prepare his cross examination of Lyova Margaryan. Judge Simonyan denied the request and adjourned the hearing until the following. At the start of todays hearing Prosecutor Minasyan reported sick. The case is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, August 22.

Conscientious objector convicted in Armenia

www.jw-georgia.org (09.08.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (09.08.2001) - Website :http://www.hrwf.net C Email :info@hrwf.net - Today in the Armavir regional court, Aram Shahverdyan, an 18-year-old Jehovahs Witness, was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for refusing military service on religious grounds. He becomes the first conscientious objector that Armenia has convicted and refused to pardon since joining the Council of Europe on January 25, 2001.

On July 25 Shahverdyan was arrested after testifying five days earlier in defence of Lyova Margaryan, also a Jehovahs Witness, who is being prosecuted for his religious beliefs and activities. During his own trial Shahverdyan faced intense questions from both the prosecutor and the judge about his decision to refuse military service. He was repeatedly asked whether Lyova Margaryan persuaded him not to join the army. However, speaking with conviction, Shahverdyan, declared: My conscientious decision is based on the Bible.

Judge Gagik Handanyans apparent attempt to implicate Lyova Margaryan in shaping Shahverdyans decision led to Arams lawyer, Rustam Khachatryan, asking: Who is on trial here, Aram Shahverdyan or Lyova Margaryan? Margaryan is being accused under Article 244 of the Armenian Criminal Code of luring young people into attending religious meetings of an unregistered religion and influencing members to refuse their civic duties. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison. Margaryans trial resumes tomorrow in the Armavir regional court.

When joining the Council of Europe Armenia agreed to adopt a law on alternative to military service within three years and, in the meantime, to release those in detention. Thirty-one male Jehovahs Witnesses have been pardoned and were released from detention places on the basis of a Presidential amnesty in connection with Armenias 1700-year anniversary of the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, eight remain in prison in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Five others who were released after serving part of their sentence are still under arrest but allowed to live at home provided they regularly report to the local police. During the past month eight Jehovahs Witnesses, including Aram Shahverdyan, were arrested and imprisoned awaiting trial for refusing military service on religious grounds. They are willing to perform alternative civilian service.

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Khruschevite' Charge against Medzamor Jehovahs Witness

by Felix Corley

Keston News Service (10.07.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (12.07.2001) C Website :http://www.hrwf .net C Email :info@hrwf.net - A Jehovah's Witness from the town of Medzamor close to the capital Yerevan is due to face trial in about ten day's time on charges dating back to the times of the anti-religious campaign led by then Soviet leader

Nikita Khrushchev. A case against Levon Markaryan was instituted under Article 244 Part 1 of the Criminal Code, an article introduced in the Soviet republics around 1960 and which punishes `infringement of the person and rights of citizens under the guise of performing religious rituals' with a sentence of up to five years' imprisonment. Senior investigator Andranik Sahakyan, who led the investigation, confirmed to Keston News Service that the charges had been brought because children had attended Jehovah's Witness meetings in Medzamor, but denied defence claims that parents had signed documents allowing their children to attend. `There are no such documents,' he declared bluntly.

Markaryan has been specifically accused of `enticing' minors into a group `whose activity, carried on under the guise of preaching religious doctrines and performing religious rituals, is connected with causing harm to citizen's health or with other infringements of the person and rights of citizens'. This article has been removed from the criminal code in other post-Soviet republics (it was removed from the Russian criminal code in 1991).

The criminal case was instituted against the 50-year-old Markaryan on 23 March, his lawyer Rustam Khachatryan told Keston from Yerevan on 6 July. Sahakyan confirmed that the case has already been handed over to the Armavir regional court, and Malvei Simonyan, the judge at the court who will hear the case, told Keston the hearing is likely to take place
around 20 July.

Simonyan confirmed that the article was introduced in the Soviet Armenian code in 1961, admitting openly it was a `Khrushchevite' article which had made it unchanged into the new criminal code. He confirmed the punishment could be up to five years' imprisonment `or exile', he added with an ironic laugh. Asked where someone found guilty would be exiled to, he declared: `Away from their place of residence. But that provision has fallen into disuse.' He declined to comment on Markaryan's case ahead of the trial, but confirmed he was at liberty pending the hearing.

Speaking to Keston from Armavir on 10 July, Sahakyan initially claimed not to remember the case. However, he later insisted that the presence of children at Jehovah's Witness meetings had been illegal. Asked which law banned the attendance of children, he said the 1997 religion law banned all children under the age of 18. Asked why children were often seen at Armenian Apostolic Church services and services of other faiths, he claimed that this provision applied only because the Jehovah's Witnesses are unregistered in Armenia (they have been denied registration on numerous occasions since Armenia gained independence in 1991 though Armenia's Council of Europe obligations - which the government has ignored - committed the country to lifting the ban on their registration - see KNS 16 January 2001). Sahakyan then went on to claim that without registration, all Jehovah's Witness meetings are illegal, although he was unable to specify an article of the religion law that laid this down.

Khachatryan claimed that the whole premise of the case was unjust. `Jehovah's Witness parents come to the meetings with their children,' he told Keston. `They are Jehovah's Witnesses and so are their children. All the time they are there with their parents.' He said the parents had signed statements specifically allowing their children to be present during meetings. `There are no reasons for the accusations.'

`What the lawyer says is not quite true,' Sahakyan told Keston on being informed of the defence claims. `They didn't present any documents with the signatures of parents. Maybe they created them later.' He vigorously rejected suggestions Article 244 was a Soviet-era hangover. `Why Khrushchevite? It's still valid.' He denied that the case against Markaryan represented an attempt to intimidate the Jehovah's Witnesses. `It is not persecution,' he declared. `One hundred percent not. There is full proof of guilt.'

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Armenia reaffirms national Christianity but despite

spiritual displays, tolerance for sects remains low

by Angela Charlton

Associated Press (25.06.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (26.06.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net- Armenia was the world's first Christian state, and it was religion that helped its people preserve their identity as enemies squeezed them from their ancient homeland and the Soviets then imposed 70 years of atheistic rule. This year, the country's religious leaders hope celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity will help the nation rediscover that spiritual heritage.

Government officials, teachers and community activists are looking to inject pride, and perhaps investment, into a nation broken by a decade of post-Soviet economic decline, war and emigration.

"I want people to more deeply understand and value our past," the patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, said in an interview on the breezy porch at his headquarters, Echmiadzin, 18 miles northwest of the capital, Yerevan. "I want the church to come into every house."

Within Armenia, an ethnically homogenous nation of three million cradled in the Caucasus Mountains, more than 90 percent of people profess allegiance to the Armenian church, although few attend services regularly.

As centuries of conflicts with neighboring Muslims in the modern-day countries of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran pushed Armenians out of their native land, the church was central in uniting the vast diaspora. Nearly all the seven million Armenians outside Armenia are also church members. Karekin advertised the anniversary with a liturgy in May at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles -- Southern California is home to 800,000 Armenians -- and a reception in New York with Mayor Rudolph Guiliani.

"We want to show the world who Armenians are," said Khosrov Harutyunian, a former government minister who heads the anniversary organizing committee. "We want to attract sponsors, not just enthusiasts, with these events."

In a nation where salaries average $40 a month, Armenia's government has spent more than $1 million on the festivities, Harutyunian said. Millions more have come from congregations abroad.

The celebrations are also cementing Karekin's command as the church's 132nd catholicos, a post he won in a vote by dioceses around the world in 1999. Rivals claim allies in Armenia's government meddled in the vote on his behalf, a charge he denies.

Often dressed in the modest black robes of a parish priest, Karekin exudes authority and assurance, speaking in his smooth tenor when it suits him and staying silent when it doesn't. Government leaders often seek his counsel, and visiting foreign dignitaries include the patriarch on their itineraries, reflecting the dramatic revival in influence for his church.

Armenians owe their Christianity to St. Gregory the Illuminator, a young Parthian who was thrown in a pit by King Trdat III for preaching Christianity in Armenia in the late Third Century.

Gregory survived for 13 years in the dungeon at the foot of Mount Ararat, the snowcapped peak inside modern-day Turkey where the Bible says Noah's Ark landed.

Trdat went mad, and his sister dreamed he would be cured if Gregory was released. Trdat recovered and converted to Christianity, making it the state religion.

A monastery was built around the dungeon said to have held Gregory, and tour groups of ethnic Armenians from around the world visit the desolate, rocky town to descend a metal ladder into the pit. Karekin ushered in the anniversary year from the dank, mystical hole.

The Armenian church split from the Vatican in the Sixth Century, and belongs to the Oriental Orthodox tradition, with independent sister churches in Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia and India.

Pope John Paul II is to visit in September as part of his efforts to foster reconciliation among Christian denominations. The pope and the previous Armenian patriarch, Karekin I, agreed in 1996 on a theological point about Christ's nature, but the Armenian church still rejects the authority of the pontiff.

Soviet leaders nationalized or demolished church property, though the headquarters at Echmiadzin was allowed to remain open. After the 1991 Soviet collapse, Armenia became an independent country and embraced Christianity anew.

While Karekin and the anniversary celebrations have embraced other mainstream Christian religions, they've excluded everyone else.

For Jehovah's Witnesses, who have been seeking registration in Armenia for 10 years, the anniversary is a painful reminder of the power of the Apostolic Church. Armenia's constitution provides for freedom of religion, but makes it difficult for new groups to register.

Jehovah's Witnesses say they have been raided repeatedly by police, and about 20 Armenian members have been sentenced to prison terms for refusing military service. Government officials deny religious discrimination, saying they were only enforcing Armenia's mandatory draft.

"We reject the activities of these sects," Karekin said. "They tear families apart, prompting perversion and suicide."

The attitude is common in many former Soviet republics, where traditional churches struggling to rebuild followings have used government ties to restrict activities of non-traditional religious groups.

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Updated list of imprisoned conscientious objectors

to military service

HRWF International Secretariat (22.02.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - To date, there are twenty-one male Jehovahs Witnesses in prison for their conscientious refusal of military service on religious grounds. They are willing, however, to perform alternative civilian service. Unfortunately, such an option does not exist. The names, dates of imprisonment, sentences, grounds (according criminal code) and locations are:

Vardan Virabyan, February 27, 2000, 4 years (2nd prison term), 257a, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Khachatur Zakaryan, February 3, 2000, 3 years, 255a, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Vitali Usubov, March 17, 2000, 4 ? years, 257a, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Vaginak Saroyan, May 30, 2000, 3 years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Arsen Saribekyan, June 23, 2000, 2 years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Artur Tovmasyan, June 30, 2000, 1 ? years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Edgar Abrahamyan, August 31, 2000, 1 ? years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Hovannes Andreasyan, September 8, 2000, 2 ? years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Arman Sargsyan, September 14, 2000, 1 year, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Sergei Grigoryan, September 25, 2000, 1 ? years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Artur Ispiryan, October 6, 2000, 1 year, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Aksel Ghazaryan, October 27, 2000, 3 years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Rafik Tonoyan, November 1, 2000, 2 years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Martin Shahinyan, November 1, 2000, 2 years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Amayak Karapetyan, November 3, 2000, 3 ? years, 255a, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Nairi Ughurlyan, November 6, 2000, 2 years, 75 I, Kosh corrective labor colony;

Yervand Poghosyan, December 19, 2000, 1 ? years, 75 I, Sovetashen prison;

Vahan Mkroyan, December 21, 2000, 3 years, 255a, Sovetashen prison;

Mkhitar Abroyan, December 26, 2000, 2 years, 75 I, Sovetashen prison;

Sergei Alaverdyan, January 12, 2001, 2 years, 75 I, Sovetashen prison;

Karen Eghoyan,February 1, 2001, 2 years, 75 I, Sovetashen prison.

Two young men have been arrested and are waiting for their trial:

Arman Atanyan, arrested on December 1, 1999, Goris prison;

Armen Yeghiazaryan, arrested on August 7, 2000, Goris prison.

Fourteen Jehovah졯s Witnesses who had been in prison for refusal of military service were released after serving a part of their sentence. They are still under arrest but allowed to live at home under the provision to regularly report to the local police. The names, dates of release from the prison, sentences, grounds (according criminal code1) and portions of sentences served in prison are given below:

Gurgen Sevoyan, December 9 ,1999, 75 I, 1 ? years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Armen Asoyan, December 6, 1999, 255a, 3 years, served 1/3 of the sentence (now on medical treatment because of acquired tuberculosis);

Aghasi Aslanyan, December 8, 1999, 75 I, 1 ? years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Gagik Ohanyan, February 15, 2000, 257a, 3 years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Vigen Hakobyan, June 7, 2000, 75 I, 1 year, served 2/3 of the sentence;

Gharib Grigoryan, October 4, 2000, 75 I, 2 years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Armen Hartenyan, August 21, 2000, 75 I, 1 ? years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Arsen Vardanyan, March 10, 2000, 75 I, 1 year, sentenced to compulsory labor (in fact, under supervision);

Armen Babayan, October 20, 2000, 75 I, 1 year, served 1/2 of the sentence;

Artur Stepanyan, October 19, 2000, 255a, 3 ? years, served 2/3 of the sentence;

Manvel Faroyan, November 2, 2000, 75 I, 1 year, served 1/2 of the sentence;

Amayak Sargsyan, November 23, 2000, 75 I, 1 year, served 1/2 of the sentence;

Henrik Hovnikyan, December 29, 2000, 75 I, 2 years, served 1/3 of the sentence;

Aram Kazaryan, December 22, 2000, 75 I, 3 years, served 1/3 of the sentence.

Eighteen male Jehovahs Witnesses have already served their prison terms for conscientious refusal of military service on religious grounds and currently are free, but still liable for conscription to the military service. The names, dates released, sentences, grounds (according criminal code) and portions of sentences served are given below:

Artur Martirosyan, March 25, 2000, 75 I, 2 years, served ? of the sentence;

Ruslan Ohandjanyan, March 16, 2000, 75 I, 1 year, served fully the sentence (? in prison);

Gevorg Solovikh, May 19, 2000, 75 I, 1 ? year, served 2/3 of the sentence (fled to Russia);

Erem Nazaretyan, June 8, 1998, 75 I, 2 years, served fully the sentence;

Karen Simonyan, April 30, 1997, 75 I, 2 years, served fully the sentence;

Sarkis Arakelyan, November 7, 1996, 75 I, 1 year, served fully the sentence;

Artur Vardanyan, September 27, 1997, 75 I, 1 ? years, served 2/3 of the sentence;

Artak Hovhannisyan, June 3, 1995, 75 I, 1 ? years, served fully the sentence;

Ashot Atabekyan, June 2, 1995, 75 I, 1 ? years, served fully the sentence;

Andranik Kosyan, a) April 30, 1997, 75 I, 1 year, b) December 12, 2000, 75 I, 2 years, served fully the sentence (? in prison);

Artashes Alexanyan, a) October 12, 1995, 75 I, 1 year, b) January 10, 2001, 257a, 4 years, served fully the sentence (1/3 in prison);

Tigran Petrosyan, September 21, 1998, 75 I, 1 ? years, served fully the sentence;

Gegham Harutiunyan, 1997, 75 I, 1 ? years, served fully the sentence (fled to Russia);

Hamlet Avdoyan, 1997, 75 I, 1 ? years, served fully the sentence (fled to Russia);

Gevorg Mirzoyan, July 19, 1995, 75 I, 1 year, served fully the sentence;

Tigran Mardoyan, July 19, 1995, 75 I, 1 year, served fully the sentence;

Zareh Karapetyan, January 7, 1995, 75 I, 1 year, served fully the sentence (in hiding after being tortured in military unit);

Artak Khandoyan, April 30, 1997, 75 I, 1 year, released by amnesty without being imprisoned (fled to Russia).

Six male Jehovahs Witnesses who were imprisoned for their conscientious refusal of military service on religious grounds and currently are fully exempt of compulsory military service. The names, dates released, sentences, grounds (according criminal code) and grounds for exemption are the following:

Grigor Dayan, October 22, 1999, 75 I, 1 ? years, was condemned twice;

Samvel Manukyan, May 16, 2000, 255a, 3 years, fully served 3 years in prison;

Karen Voskanyan, was charged by 255a, increasing health problems (tuberculosis);

John Martirosyan, was charged by 255a, increasing health problems (neurotic-psychic disease);

Artur Petrosyan, increasing health problems (duodental ulcer and vessel consctiction in stomach area);

Artur Hovhannisyan, December 3, 1994, 75 I, 1 year, reached the age of 27 after releasing.

(*) Note

Article 75 : Evasion of regular call-up to active military service shall be punished by deprivation of freedom for a term of one to three years. The same act committed by means of causing oneself bodily injury or by malingering, by means of forgery of documents or by any other deception, or committed under other aggravating circumstances, shall be punished by deprivation of freedom for a term of one to five years. ?

Article 255a : ? Desertion, that is the abandonment of the unit or duty station by a person in military service for a regular term for the purpose of evading military service, of failure to report for duty, for the same purpose, upon assignment, upon transfer, upon return from detached service, upon return from leave, or from a medical institution, shall be punished by deprivation of freedom for a term of three to seven years. ?

Article 257a : ? The evasion by a person in military service of performance of military duties by causing himself any kind of injury (maiming) or by malingering, forgery of documents, or any other deception, or a refusal to perform military duties, shall be punished by deprivation of freedom for a term of three to seven years. ?

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