Acts of violence being detected
Recently civil society activists were widely asserted to have been subjected to violence and battery by unidentified persons and simultaneously The Police was accused of showing inactivity in disclosing those criminal acts.
Those accusations are groundless and don’t correspond to the reality.
Immediately after the incidents a number of operational, search and investigative measures were taken, examinations were assigned, eyewitnesses were detected and interviewed, a careful study of video recordings was made.
The investigation of cases of violence against the civil society activists is immediately under the control of Police chief, a daily report on the investigation process is made. The repetition of those cases was much more alarming for the Police, and consequently necessary operational and prophylactic measures were taken by law enforcers to exclude violence against civil society activists. The police have promised to periodically inform the society about the investigation process and results.
Partly, on September 4 Varuzhan Avetisyan made a statement in Central police division that a few persons provoking a quarrel subjected him to battery, causing physical pain in the middle of the Northern avenue between 17:40 and 17:50 two days ago. In connection with the given fact on Septmber 11 criminal proceeding was initiated under article 118 of the RA Criminal code.
Thanks to the joint operational and search measures taken by officers of the Criminal intelligence unit of Police Central division and Police Central Investigation division, it was established that Varuzhan Avetisyan was subjected to battery by A. Aghayan, DOB 1968, and A. Mkrtchyan, DOB 1993, both Yerevan city residents.
Thanks to the taken measures on September 14 A. Aghayan and A. Mkrtchyan came voluntarily to Police Central division and gave explanations. They mentioned that the incident had nothing in common with politics and civil activity, and A. Aghayan, a member of “Hayazn” party Department, called on everybody not to politicize the incidents. Preliminary investigation is underway.
On August 25 Police Central division received a report from civil society activist Mihran Margaryan according to which 7 unidentified persons provoked a quarrel with him and a friend of him, Babken Ter-Grigoryan, US and French citizen, on Grigor Lusavorich street about 1:30 on the same day, delivered several blows to them, causing bodily injuries. In connection with the given incident criminal proceeding has been initiated in Police Central division and preliminary investigation is conducted.
Due to the joint operational and search, as well as investigative measures taken by officers of Criminal intelligence unit and Investigation division of Police Central division, on September 14 it was established that M. Margaryan and B. Ter-Grigoryan were subjected to battery and sustained bodily harms by S. Babayan, DOB 1988, and S. Purtoyan, DOB 1974, both Yerevan residents. The assailants were brought to police and already pleaded guilty. Preliminary investigation is underway.
As for the other incidents registered so far, it should be mentioned that on September 5 Suren Saghateyan came to the police and made a statement that they had sustained physical attacks by 6-7 assailants on Ter – Gabrielyan and Koghbasi streets. Reports were received from № 1 clinical university hospital at 23:20 and 23:25 according to which Haykak Arshamyan and Suren Saghatelyan were hospitalized with “polytrauma” diagnosis.
On September 6 S. Saghatelyan and H. Arshamyan made statements. Forensic medical examinations were assigned. On September 13 Police Central division initiated criminal proceeding under article 113, section 2, paragraphs 3 and 6, and article 118 of the RA Criminal code, preliminary investigation is underway.
At 1:15 on September 5 Police received a report from “Saint Grigor Lusavorich” medical center according to which Arman Aleksanyan was taken from Yerevan mayor’s office to hospital, with the diagnosis of “chest and back bruise, brain concussion’. The latter reported to the police that he had been subjected to battery by unidentified persons. A. Aleksanyan made a statement at 3:25 on the same day. Forensic and medical examination was assigned. On September 13 Police Central division initiated criminal proceeding under article 118 of the RA Criminal code.
Preliminary investigation is underway.