Opposition podcaster Narek Samsonyan declares indefinite hunger strike

Opposition podcaster Narek Samsonyan announced on Friday that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike in court, protesting the unlawful trial after a judge extended his and his colleague Vazgen Saghatelyan’s detention by three months.

Samsonyan, a co-host of the Imnemnimi podcast, told the court he had expected the lightest preventive measure – a travel ban – arguing that he had committed no crime. He denied any wrongdoing and said he would not forget what he called abuses committed against him and his family.

Following the hearing, Samsonyan’s lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, said his client was resolute in his decision to begin the hunger strike and would need to be isolated. Melikyan added that while the move was undesirable, it should be respected as an expression of Samsonyan’s position on the proceedings.