Police Used Disproportionate Force Violating the Law While Detaining Protest Participants: Ombudsman

Today, demonstrations related to the Amulsar mine have been monitored throughout the day, both directly and through media and social networks. The actions of the police were also under examination. This was reported by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

The hotline of the Human Rights Defender’s office received 7 reports indicating that police officers used disproportionate force against protest participants and detained several of them. According to one report, one of the detainees requires medical assistance.

Upon the instruction of the Ombudsman, an immediate rapid response team was dispatched to the police station of the Arabkir district in Yerevan. While at the station, it was clarified that 6 participants of the protest had been detained, one of whom was transported to the 'St. Grigor Lusavorich' medical center. Therefore, by the Ombudsman’s decision, another group was also sent immediately to the medical center.

At the police station, representatives of the Ombudsman conducted private interviews with all the participants detained during the protest. They insisted that the police officers did not present the reasons for their detention and used unlawful disproportionate physical force during the apprehension.

The Ombudsman’s representatives reviewed the registration book for the detainees and noted violations of the filling procedure. It was also recorded that those in custody were released within the timeframe stipulated by the RA Code on Administrative Offenses. The individuals deprived of their liberty were informed of their rights, as well as the procedure for appealing to the Human Rights Defender and the process for reviewing complaints by the Ombudsman.

The rapid response team that went to the 'St. Grigor Lusavorich' medical center had a private discussion with the individual who was transported there. The medical staff's assessment of the individual’s health condition was recorded. During the interview, the protest participant stated that the police officers had used violence against him, including hitting him on the face and legs, which exacerbated his health condition. The Ombudsman’s representatives also had a discussion with him at the police station, where he confirmed this information once again.

During the visit, it was also found that three individuals brought to the police station, including the one transferred to the medical center, had filed a report regarding the actions of the police officers. The outcomes of the aforementioned visits will be summarized in accordance with established procedures, and appropriate letters will be sent to the RA Police and the RA Prosecutor’s Office. The issues related to the Amulsar mine will continue to remain under the attention of the Human Rights Defender.