Human right activist Avetik Ishkhanyan is also recognized as a victim of illegal actions of the police during the protest in Gyumri Freedom Square on January 15 organized for the murder case of Avetisyan family members. He was forcibly detained by police that day. The human rights activist said to Aravot.am that it has been the second time that the SIS files a case against illegal actions of the police. The first one was with Hayk Kyureghyan, supporter of “Tseghakron” party leader Shant Harutyunyan, when a rumor was spread that he was beaten at the police station. “SIS initiated a case in that regard, but there was no development. I can tell for sure that the case is either dismissed or in the stage of dismissal.” He is convinced that the criminal case filed against the illegal actions of the police against them will not be continued, because “in Armenia, although SIS and the police formally are not associated with each other, but in reality, both leaders are appointed and dismissed by the President of Armenia. I do not think that these agencies are independent and can file a case against each other if not for the consent from above. This is just a formality and has no prospect. Simply, they want to show that they have gone after the traces of the declaration and have sued to clarify. But later on, it will turn out that everything is clarified and no such a thing has happened, everything was legal. I would like to be wrong and I would publicly apologize and will be very happy for apologizing.”
Avetik Ishkhanyan has already given a testimony at the SIS, but will not make the testimony public during the inquest period, “Apart from the fact that I was forced to get into the car, no other type of violence was committed against me.” Note that the criminal case against the illegal actions of the police is instituted by Article 108, part 1. In addition to Avetik Ishkhanyan, other people like lawyer Lusine Sahakyan, film director Tigran Khzmalyan and Armenia Today website coordinator Argishti Kiviryan are also recognized as victims.
Arpine SIMONYAN
