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OSCE/ODIHR condemns violence in run-up to Armenian presidential election
WARSAW 4 February 2003
WARSAW, 5 February 2003 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) strongly condemned the violent incident involving Hayk Babukhanyan, a member of the campaign team of presidential candidate Aram Karapetyan.
Mr. Babukhanyan was hospitalized after being stabbed by unknown persons yesterday during a campaign rally in the town of Artashat.
"There is no place for violence or threats of any kind in a democratic election process," said Peter Eicher, the Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission in Armenia.
"It is for the authorities to undertake promptly a complete and transparent investigation of the events in accordance with internationally recognized principles of due process of law", he added.
The ODIHR has established a long-term Observation Mission to monitor all aspects of the election process before, during and after the election, which is scheduled for 19 February.
Mr. Babukhanyan was hospitalized after being stabbed by unknown persons yesterday during a campaign rally in the town of Artashat.
"There is no place for violence or threats of any kind in a democratic election process," said Peter Eicher, the Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission in Armenia.
"It is for the authorities to undertake promptly a complete and transparent investigation of the events in accordance with internationally recognized principles of due process of law", he added.
The ODIHR has established a long-term Observation Mission to monitor all aspects of the election process before, during and after the election, which is scheduled for 19 February.