The Administrative Court has dismissed the lawsuit against the President of Gyumri Journalists Club “Asbarez”, Levon Barseghyan, who was detained during one of the protests against Armenia’s accession to the EaEU. This decision of the court was strange because on the same day, in addition to Levon Barseghyan, the police had detained a large number of protesters to the police department and the court has accepted the lawsuits of imposing administrative responsibility. But regarding this case, the court decided to dismiss the lawsuit of the police.
As to what is the reason for this strange decision, whether the local authorities have decided to change their practice, in the conversation with Aravot.am, human rights activist Vardan Harutyunyan commented as follows, “Our courts are used as a tool in the hands of the executive power, as a baton addressed against the public-political figures. The courts punch the decisions, which the authorities demand against the individuals demonstrating public activeness. Not accepting this case as a proceeding, I think, is connected not with the fact that something has been changed in the government, the quality of government is changed, or some political winds and methods are changed. No, simply they knew for 100 percent that Levon Barseghyan will go to the European Court, and they decided not to register this defeat.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
