No Grounds for Arresting or Detaining Apoyan: Statement

The National Anti-Corruption Council has issued a statement regarding the detention of David Apoyan, the president of the Yerevan State University Student Council, in handcuffs.

"The National Anti-Corruption Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council), after reviewing a video disseminated by mass media showing the procedural act of detaining David Apoyan, the president of the Yerevan State University Student Council, in handcuffs, as well as certain comments in the press regarding this incident, finds it necessary to emphasize:

According to the information available, David Apoyan was taken to the police station to testify whether he recognizes the participants of a recent argument accompanied by gunfire that took place on the territory of the university (this information was provided to the press by the acting rector of the university).

Considering particularly the fact that law enforcement agencies have not yet provided official information regarding the incident, the Council refrains from a more detailed and in-depth analysis and observes exclusively the concerns that have arisen from the examination of the currently published information.

The Council does not rule out that in the future, when more detailed and multifaceted information related to the incident becomes available, these concerns may change.

Thus, the Council notes that a person cannot be detained solely for the purpose of providing testimony, and if the person has not avoided appearing for questioning. The footage released clearly shows that David Apoyan does not resist, does not obstruct police actions, and does not refuse to be taken to the police station; therefore, the Council finds the police's action of detaining him, especially the necessity of using handcuffs during this process, unconvincing.

It should be noted that actions taken against the person that are accompanied by a temporary restriction of rights and freedoms (in this case, a restriction of freedom) can only be conducted through the procedural actions of arrest or detention provided for by criminal procedural legislation. The existing information indicates that there were no grounds for arresting or detaining David Apoyan.

Based on the above, the Council calls on law enforcement agencies to immediately present to the public convincing legal reasons for taking actions that restrict a person's right to freedom and the necessity of applying handcuffs,” the statement concludes.