A criminal case against an environmentalist campaigning against a copper mine in Armenia's virgin Teghut Forest has been dropped after she received an award from the US Embassy in Yerevan.
The prosecution of 30-year-old Mariam Sukhudian started in 2009 after she released information to media outlets about the alleged sexual abuse of a girl by a teacher at Yerevan's Nubarashen Special School, an institution for developmentally challenged children where Sukhudian had worked for a few months as a volunteer. Sukhudian, who recorded conversations with children in which they detailed the alleged sexual abuse, was charged with "slander" and faced the prospect of a five-year prison term.
While most recent publicity about Sukhudian had focused on her allegations about misconduct at the Nubarashen Special School, she was previously known for her campaign to halt the construction of a copper mine - a campaign that recently secured a pledge of support from Serj Tankian, lead vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning American rock band System of a Down.
On March 10, the US Embassy in Yerevan presented Sukhudian with its first Woman of Courage Award for her "responsibility, courage and leadership in the pursuit of justice and advocating for the protection" of the environment and children with special needs, a statement read.
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch noted that Sukhudian "has campaigned to protect Armenia's forests, wildlife and environment; she has volunteered in schools for special needs children; and when she arrived at Nubarashen Special School Number 11 and found neglect and abuse of children in its care, she acted to stop it ? not for her own benefit, but for justice and the welfare of all children in Armenia."
A day later, the criminal case against Sukhudian was dropped.
In a March 11 announcement, the General Prosecutor's Office stated that a group of district investigators had "interpreted the evidence in its own way" and that the case against the environmentalist would not go forward. It cited "new evidence" that left the slander charge "not proven." It also reported that a criminal case against a Nubarashen Special School teacher "was initiated for immoral acts against minors."
Some opposition politicians and human rights activists believe the embassy award prompted prosecutors to drop the charges against Sukhudian. They linked the slander case to Sukhudian's work against the Teghut copper-molybdenum mine, a project run by the Armenian Copper Program that is expected to yield huge returns for Armenia in tax revenue. [For details, see the Eurasia Insight archive].
"Mariam really dared to confront the rotten justice system and bring out all the garbage," commented MP Anahit Bakhshian, a senior member of the opposition Heritage Party. "And the award was a signal to suspend the trumped-up case and avoid a bigger disgrace."
Environmental activist Inga Zarafian, the head of the Ecolur non-governmental organization, agreed. "The faked case against Sukhudian was so clumsy that the ? movement, together with Mariam's determination, managed to defy Armenia's ? justice system."
General Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Sona Truzian denied any connection between the embassy award, or the pro-Sukhudian campaign, and the suspension of the slander case against her. "Of course, the US embassy award has nothing to do with the case," Truzian said. "The criminal prosecution was stopped based on new evidence. The Erebuni Investigation Division had interpreted the previously obtained evidence in its own way; later, the girls who had suffered sexual abuse testified differently."
Sukhudian's attorney, Nona Galstian, attributes the decision to evidence collected in Sukhudian's favor, as well as "public pressure and consistent work of the NGOs."
"[T]he appreciation and support of international structures also contributed to it," Galstian continued.
Meanwhile, Sukhudian tells EurasiaNet.org that she believes the controversy over her case will continue. "I feel deeply offended, and I don't think the fight is over," she said. "Neither do I consider this to be a victory."
Sukhudian is turning her attention to the environmental battle concerning the Teghut mine. An initial hearing on a petition to overturn the government decree authorizing exploitation of the copper mine is scheduled for March 23. "Sometimes we feel desperate, but we go on living, admiring nature and overcoming obstacles," Sukhudian said.
"[M]y fight for the Teghut forests is not a fight against the authorities, but a movement for their and our healthy and harmonious life," she added.
Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter based in Yerevan.
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