Many representatives of civil society, citizens, civil initiatives such as “Freedom to political prisoners”, “Daredevils of Sassoun”, “Davit Sanasaryan”, “Rise up Armenia”, etc., who raised a wave of public protests against mass illegal imprisonments and human rights violations in Armenia, today on 8th July, 2016, addressed a letter to the USA Ambassador Richard M. Mills. Currently, there are about 3,000 signatures under this letter. The letter is open for further signatures. Other civil initiatives are continuing to join.
Honorable Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr.,
we addressed you a letter with detailed description of Mr. Davit Sanasaryan’s case a few days ago asking your efforts and actions against human right violations and illegal imprisonment of Mr. Davit Sanasaryan and we received a standard letter from you.
In response to your letter, we would like again to bring into your attention the case of Davit Sanasaryan to raise the issue of urgency.
«Pretrial detention should be considered a last resort. Article 9(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Armenia is a party, states that, “It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody.” The United Nations Human Rights Committee, which provides authoritative interpretation of the covenant, has determined that bail should be granted except in cases in which there is a likelihood that the accused would abscond, destroy evidence, or influence witnesses. Given the minor nature of the incident that is the stated basis for the arrest, Mr. Sanasaryan should be freed, pending the investigation.
Deprivation of liberty for two months represents a serious restriction imposed on Mr. Sanasaryan that is wholly unjustified on the facts or by reference to international standards and disproportionate given the absence of any genuine risk to the investigation he poses. Human Rights Watch is concerned that in reality the authorities are targeting Mr. Sanasaryan for his membership in a political opposition group and his peaceful political beliefs and that the measure of restraint imposed is intended to interfere with his right to freedom of thought, expression, and assembly as protected by the ICCPR.»
«Aslanyan said that although his face was pressed to the van’s floor, he was aware that the police were also kicking and hitting Sanasaryan, who was also in the van. Aslanyan said: “When we got to the military unit, policemen dragged Davit out, dropped him on the ground, and continued to beat him. Four or five policemen kicked and punched him, so that at some point Davit lost consciousness.”
Ara Petrossyan, another protester, was also held at the interior troop base on July 18. He spoke with Sanasaryan and tried to help him. Petrossyan saw police bring Sanasaryan, his hands handcuffed behind his back, into the gym and throw him to the floor, and saw him lose consciousness. Petrossyan said:
We wanted to help, but they [police] wouldn’t let us. The police did nothing. As he lay on the floor for about 5 to 10 minutes, police checked his pulse a few times. Davit regained consciousness, but could hardly speak. He asked for water; he said he was nauseated. We feared he had a concussion. The police said maybe he just ate something bad. The doctor from the base checked his blood pressure and pulse and claimed that Davit was fine. Davit lay down on the floor, with his bag under his head. After three hours an ambulance took Davit to the hospital».
Doctors examination found that Davit Sanasaryan had a traumatic brain injury. After this incident, for a week he was suffering from headaches and insomnia.
The society knows that this is a political order, and Andrias Ghukasyan, Davit Sanasaryan, Armen Martirosyan and Hovsep Khurshudyan who were participating in peaceful protests are political prisoners currently.
At least two of them, Davit Sanasaryan and Andrias Ghukasyan are in urgent need of medical care, which up to now has been banned. Despite the fact that Andrias Ghukasyan has acquired serious health problems as a result of police violence (he was beaten by steel bars) and still is deprived of medical care, he announced a hunger strike.
Davit Sanasaryan has severe kidney problems. He is also banned from medical examination and visits. Our call to you is to intervene and to do your best to prevent these illegalities and continuous persecutions against Davit.
According to the article, based on which he is charged, Mr. Sanasaryan risks up to 10 years of prison. The article (instigate violent actions) is ridiculous and false, having purpose just to keep Mr. Sanasaryan in jail, isolate him from society and neutralize his activities. He has never been in favour of violent actions and never appealed or did any statement of violence during his whole political carrier. There are proving videos where he is calling all sides to avoid violence and bloodshed and solve the problems through negotiations.
We know that you spoke out against human rights violations so we are hopeful you will put pressure about this as well by taking all necessary measures.
More than 30 civil initiatives, organizations, many representatives of civil society, citizens raised a wave of public protests against mass illegal imprisonments and human rights violations in Armenia.
We have applied to different international organization to interfere in this issue to release the innocent.
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We are looking forward to your efforts and actions against these human right violations and illegal imprisonment of Mr. Davit Sanasaryan and other political prisoners.