VIDEO: Policeman Strikes Citizen Near Prosecutor's Office

A video has circulated online showing a policeman repeatedly striking a participant in a protest near the Prosecutor's Office, identified as Hayk Hekimyan.

Meanwhile, Hekimyan himself has been charged with allegedly using violence against a police officer while performing official duties.

It is worth noting that the Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan, presided over by Judge Gadik Poghosyan, approved the investigator's request to use detention as a preventive measure against Hekimyan, who is a cousin of Heritage Party member Artsvik Minasyan.

According to the preliminary investigation body, Hekimyan allegedly struck a police officer during a skirmish that erupted during a protest on April 22 near the headquarters of the Prosecutor General's Office. He has been charged under Article 316, Part 1 of the Criminal Code for using violence against a representative of the authorities.

However, the published video shows the policeman striking Hekimyan three times, after which Hekimyan appears to defend himself. It is important to note that police officers do not have the right to strike a citizen, and therefore such actions cannot be considered as the fulfillment of their official duties during which, allegedly, violence was used against them.

Attorney Benik Galstyan informed Pashtinfo that an appeal has been filed against the decision to detain Hekimyan. This appeal has reached the Court of Appeals, but it has not yet been assigned to a judge.

It should be noted that Hekimyan was detained on April 23, ahead of a torchlight march, with the preliminary investigation body claiming to prevent the possibility of him fleeing. However, according to his attorney, Hekimyan had remained in the premises of the Prosecutor General's Office for about two hours on April 22.

The court deemed Hekimyan's detention unlawful and released him, but the prosecuting body hastily moved to charge him and requested the court to impose detention as a preventative measure, which was granted.