Friday, August 30 2013

 An action for the support of ARMENIA Today Coordinator Argishti Kiviryan was held near the building of Armenian Prosecutor General's Office on Friday. Argishti Kiviryan was summoned to the Special Investigation Service for questioning on Aug 30. The demonstrators were holing posters saying "Argishti, we support you!", "Armenia needs no prisoners", "Keep your hands off Argishti Kiviryan", as well as the photos of Kiviryan severely beaten by the police.       

Kiviryan says that the Investigation Service considers him a witness, while the decision on institution of the criminal case mentions him as a person who has committed violence against the police. "They should have summoned me as the aggrieved party, but their goal is to summon me as a defendant", says Kiviryan. 

To recall, Kiviryan was severely beaten Aug 24 evening during the action of protest against construction of a high-class apartment building in Komitas Street.

Kiviryan says that he is ready to identify those who beat him. The information about the beating of Kiviryan and the relevant photos were posted on Facebook at midnight.  According to the information, the police hindered provision of emergency medical services to Kiviryan. A criminal case has been instituted under Article 316 of the Armenian Criminal Code (violence against officials).  

Earlier this week Kiviryan told ArmInfo's correspondent that the criminal case had been instituted under an absolutely different "scenario". He is sure that that his detention, beating and the following processes were aimed at isolating him and causing an atmosphere of fear in the public. Kiviryan connects the police's actions with his journalistic and public activities.