Today's Released Video Evidently Shows That Police Actions Are Disproportionate: Tatoyan

Following the release of a video on social media regarding the detention of a citizen by police officers, I dispatched a rapid response team to the police station immediately upon my instructions to conduct an individual interview with the detained citizen and to undertake other necessary actions related to his rights, wrote Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan on his Facebook page.

"At this moment, I can state that the reason for the detention was the citizen's failure to comply with the requirement of the Governor's decree mandating the wearing of a mask. Today's released video evidently demonstrates that the police actions are disproportionate. Specifically, despite the overwhelming numerical superiority of police officers, the citizen's pleas to the police that he is complying with their demands and will follow them were ignored as the officers continued to apply physical force and then special measures against the individual.

Of course, the law grants the police the authority to use physical force or special measures, including handcuffs, but this must align with the pursued objective and be proportionate to the specific situation, considering the alleged violation for which physical force or special measures are being applied. A strong police force is undoubtedly an essential condition for guaranteeing human rights; however, police actions must never be accompanied by acts that violate an individual’s dignity in any circumstance.

Each individual who commits an offense must be held accountable; however, actions taken by state bodies in this regard must be proportional. Therefore, all issues must be clarified through verification.

P.S. I once again urge all citizens to unconditionally adhere to the rules for preventing the coronavirus.