Armenia`s former Ombudsman on the beating of an activist by an  official: This is a result of high political patronage

ArmInfo.  The behavior of the head of the Nor-Nork administrative district of Yerevan, Tigran Ter-Margaryan, and other officials, in the brazen beating of a  citizen by a group of people is hooliganism and disrespect for the  state and statehood. This was the respond of Arman Tatoyan, former  Ombudsman of Armenia and head of the Tatoyan Foundation, to Ter-  Margaryan's beating of activist Artur Chakhoyan in the administration  building. "This is a result of high political patronage, which has  allowed criminal morals to infiltrate the state system. The elite of  the ruling force "Civil Contract" appoints people to positions who  engage in "criminal showdowns" with their critics and distort the  value of statehood. And once again, they collectively justify what  happened, referring to some political issues, thereby proving that  narrow political and personal interests are above state interests. 

This has become one of the main threats to our statehood," the human  rights activist noted.  Additionally, he emphasized that officials  are obligated to tolerate harsh, shocking criticism and do not have  the right to react in such a manner. "Reacting this way in front of  journalistic cameras and on live television, knowing that the public  is watching, is even more outrageous.  Refusing to prosecute and  subsequently hold accountable officials who behaved this way towards  Artur Chakhoyan will mean justifying what happened and allowing the  state's patronage to continue," Tatoyan concluded.