Armenia`s human rights defender reacts to police violence against refugee from Nagorno-Karabakh

ArmInfo. The unhindered professional activity of a lawyer is one of the most important prerequisites for the system of human rights protection; it is of key importance in the justice system and ensuring the rule of law. This is stated in a statement by Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan in connection with the refusal of police officers to allow lawyers to see the detained Aram Yeritsyan.

As noted in the message of the Ombudsman's office, on August 1, lawyer Roman Yeritsyan sent a message to the Human Rights Defender's hotline in which he reported about the abuse of his brother Aram Yeritsyan by police officers, who was detained and transferred to the Arabkir police department. On the instructions of the Human Rights Defender, a rapid response team went to the indicated department and had a private conversation with Aram Yeritsyan. During a private conversation, the latter outlined the details of what happened. Representatives of the defense attorney also recorded his injuries. During the visit, it was recorded that an ambulance team was also invited to assist Aram Yeritsyan.

Based on this fact, a procedure for discussing this issue has begun. The Ombudsman believes that this incident should be the subject of an investigation in the manner prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code, and she will contact the competent government authorities with a corresponding request.

Later, the Human Rights Defender's hotline received a signal that the lawyer's access to the investigative department of the Arabkir

administrative district was difficult. In particular, a meeting between the lawyer and the detainee Aram Yeritsyan has not been ensured for a long time.

The issue raised was also discussed with a competent representative of the investigative agency, as a result of which the lawyer's access to the investigative department was ensured.

The human rights activist once again emphasizes that the unhindered professional activity of a lawyer is one of the most important prerequisites for the system of human rights protection and is of key importance in the justice system and ensuring the rule of law.

Further clarification will be sought from the competent government authority.

The day before, a lawyer from Artsakh, Roman Yeritsyan, reported that the police beat his brother Aram Yeritsyan, who was taken to the Arabkir police station. According to Roman Yeritsyan, employees of the Patrol Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs numbering up to 10 people tried to check the documents for Aram Yeritsyan's car, which, according to law enforcement officers, was parked in the wrong place. As a result of the altercations, Yeritsyan received numerous beatings, and he was taken to the police station, where, according to the lawyer, an ambulance arrived.

In turn, another lawyer, Erik Beglaryan, noted that violence by RA police officers against Aram Yeritsyan, accompanied by numerous insults not only against Aram Yeritsyan, but also against all Artsakh people, is nothing more than a manifestation of disrespect for the people of Artsakh and hostile attitude towards them. "Cases like this cause deep disappointment and outrage in society and clearly show that there are serious problems and shortcomings within the system. All police officers who were directly involved in this fight should be immediately detained, clearly demonstrating that the state values human rights and the safety of its citizens Without such actions, society may lose confidence in law enforcement agencies, which can lead to even greater problems and outrages. Such cases should not go unpunished, and the state must decisively combat all phenomena that undermine public order and threaten the dignity of citizens. justice requires that those responsible be held accountable for their actions, regardless of what position they hold," the lawyer wrote on his Facebook page.