Representatives of Artsakh Ombudsman's Office Visit Detained Individuals in Stepanakert

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh received a report on the evening of February 20, regarding a group of citizens conducting a vehicle march accompanied by political calls in the vicinity of Renaissance Square in Stepanakert, during which the police detained 8 individuals.

Upon the Defender's instruction, representatives visited the Stepanakert city police department to familiarize themselves with the circumstances and grounds of the incident, as well as to have conversations with the detained individuals.

The representatives demanded clarifications from the police regarding the grounds for detaining the citizens, their status, and the procedures followed. The police explained that the basis for the detentions was the failure to comply with a lawful order from the police, which resulted in administrative arrests. The representatives paid special attention to the treatment of the detained individuals and the adherence to legal procedures.

They clarified the rights of those detained and the mechanisms for their protection. The representatives noted that all 8 detained individuals were released within three hours.