Unacceptable to Make a Person's Death an Object of Political Exploitation: Gor Abrahamyan to Arpine Hovhannisyan

The Advisor to the Attorney General, Gor Abrahamyan, wrote on his Facebook page: "Several journalist colleagues approached me today asking for comments on Arpine Hovhannisyan's statements regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Arthur Sargsyan, the changes in the coercive measures applied to him, and the appointed expert examinations. I apologize for not being able to meet this expectation for several reasons.

Firstly, the Attorney General of Armenia has personally provided very clear and detailed clarifications on this issue during the discussion of the Prosecutor General’s report on its activities for 2016 in the National Assembly back in 2017. That clarification is so detailed and exhaustive that there is nothing to add at this time. By the way, the Attorney General also addressed this issue this year while presenting the report on the activities for 2018 in the National Assembly, in response to a question raised by one of the deputies.

However, a criminal case has been initiated regarding the death of Arthur Sargsyan, and an investigation is underway to fully, objectively, and comprehensively clarify both the circumstances of the death and the reasons that led to it, including assessing the actions of all competent persons in this context. A forensic medical examination has been appointed in the criminal case. Prosecutorial oversight is being conducted over the pre-investigation of the criminal case, and within this context, any additional comments at this point can be perceived as an attempt to influence the investigation.

Nevertheless, it is unacceptable to make a person's death an object of political exploitation, especially when some attempt to build information campaigns for self-justification on sudden bursts of so-called "noble" intentions. The Prosecutor's Office will not yield to such provocations.

Finally, I have had the opportunity to state that, following his own advice, the Prosecutor's Office will not dedicate time to comment on any of Arpine Hovhannisyan's statements related to the Prosecutor's Office going forward."