Weightlifting Master Armen Ghazaryan Claims Police Brutality

Armen Ghazaryan, an international master of weightlifting and a judge, has issued a statement regarding police violence inflicted upon him. In the statement, he states:

"I am Armen Mher Ghazaryan, an international master of weightlifting and an international referee. From 1997 to 2007, I represented the Republic of Armenia at numerous international platforms. I am the champion and record-holder of the European youth championships, the world junior champion, and a world championship silver medalist, while in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, I managed to secure the highest position for the Armenian team at 4th place.

After a long, challenging, and active sports career, I built a gym in the city of Spitak at my own expense, where anyone who wishes can train for free. I do all this to ease my conscience, in memory of my father, the honored coach of weightlifting Mher Ghazaryan, and to honor the Armenian nation and the Republic of Armenia.

On September 6 of this year, I was in one of the yards in the Nor Nork administrative district with some acquaintances when I was kidnapped by employees of the Nor Nork police, solely for being present and demanding an explanation for the kidnapping of another citizen at that time. Following the order 'Break this one too, fold him,' the officers in civilian clothes violently abducted me, accompanied by curse-filled remarks, and transported me in their personal vehicle to the Nor Nork police station.

It later became clear that the kidnapping of the second citizen was motivated by personal reasons from one of the police officers. On the third floor of the police station, in a dimly lit room, I was subjected to a prolonged group beating. The police committed numerous offenses that insulted my honor and dignity. Approximately three hours later, I was released on the condition that I would sign some document, the content of which I was not familiar with.

The next day, I went to the 'Erebuni' medical center for examination, where I received a diagnosis of closed chest injury, lung contusion, and soft tissue contusion on the right side of the chest. On the same day, I filed a complaint with the Yerevan Police Department regarding the incident.

In the days following, various employees from the Nor Nork police have contacted me, attempting to obtain false statements through persuasion and psychological pressure, claiming that the aforementioned incident did not happen and that I sustained my injuries under other circumstances. They threatened me with making 'a case' against me if I did not comply.

What has bothered me more than the physical hardships endured in the police station are the offenses against my honor and dignity, the lawlessness ('bespredel'), and the belief of those officers that they are above the law and that everything should be just like this.

This issue does not have any political subtext, and my statement aims to prevent the corrupt actions of delinquent police officers who are covering up, secretly and dangerously harassing me.

It is extremely necessary for the powers of these individuals in the system to be suspended immediately until the investigation is completed. After that, I hope they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Their further activities pose a threat to any citizen of the Republic of Armenia, as any other citizen could be in my place.

I am deeply convinced that the struggle against such criminal groups is the duty of all citizens of the Republic of Armenia. I am prepared to fight by all possible legal means. I have already approached various law enforcement agencies. Special thanks to the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Alen Simonian, who listened to me and urged me to continue the fight for the establishment of the rule of law, and assured me that this issue will be kept in the spotlight.

As a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, I believe that I am NOT alone, and my state is ready to stand by me."