Postanjyan Demands Criminal Case be Initiated Regarding Yesterday's Incident

The president of the "Yerkir Tsirani" party, Zarouhie Postanjyan, has filed a report of a crime to the head of the police, the prosecutor, and the head of the Special Investigative Service. This was announced by the press service of the "Yerkir Tsirani" party.

“On September 21, 2021, at 8 a.m., I left my apartment and headed to the Yerablur military pantheon. Upon exiting, I realized that a man was following me, so I took a photo of him and immediately made a note on my Facebook page, attaching the photos of that individual.

On the way to the Yerablur military pantheon, my taxi was stopped by police officers who stated that the vehicle had no right to ascend towards Yerablur since it was serving me, and I was not allowed to go to Yerablur. The officer obstructing my rights informed me that I had no right to visit Yerablur because there was some public event there, and I was supposed to disrupt that event. Therefore, I was told to leave, and when I insisted that I had the right to conduct a peaceful protest and express my opinions, he responded by demanding that I leave, and if I did not comply, I would be subjected to detention. This exchange was recorded and broadcast live.

The officer then ordered my abduction using force. This illegal order was carried out by four police officers. They used brute force to get me into the police vehicle, twisting my arms and causing me severe pain inside the vehicle, where they insulted me, confiscated my phone, and transported me to the Nor Nork division of the Yerevan police, during which I felt strong pain particularly in my left side that worsened my condition.

After receiving medical intervention in the Nor Nork division of the Yerevan police, which included an intramuscular analgesic injection, the pain subsided temporarily, and my nausea ceased. It became evident to me while at the police station that the officers had inflicted bodily harm on me. My request to inform my relatives about my whereabouts was granted quite late. My relatives had been unaware of my location for a long time. I also couldn't invite a lawyer; my access to that right occurred under violation, as my lawyer arrived not based on my request but rather when my relatives found out where I was and called him.

Through this report, I demand the initiation of a criminal case and accountability for the police officers who restricted my rights and liberties, specifically for the following violations of my fundamental rights:

• Preventing my freedom of movement,
• Preventing me from standing near the road leading to Yerablur,
• Preventing my expression of political stance while in that place,
• Illegally depriving me of personal freedom and my personal phone,
• Subjecting me to torture and inhuman treatment, resulting in bodily injuries,
• Being illegally detained for hours at the police station.

Report submitted by: Zarouhie Hamazasp Postanjyan.