Choking and Abusing During Detention: Human Rights Defender Reports

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia has reported that rapid response teams visited four police stations in Yerevan today, providing consultation and assistance with the realization of rights to over 64 individuals. Following these visits and ongoing monitoring, several violations were recorded. This information was shared by the press service of the Human Rights Defender.

"A common issue raised by detainees has been the practice of detaining individuals through choking or pressing on their throats. In another case, according to claims by citizens subjected to administrative arrest, police officers did not assist the individual into their vehicle but rather threw them into the car and then verbally abused them," the statement noted.

The Human Rights Defender, Kristine Grigoryan, will send relevant documents to the competent authorities demanding that the described incidents be investigated.

Several citizens detained from the Kanaker-Zeytun administrative district have claimed that after police demanded they clear the roadway, they were not given enough time to comply, especially after they requested five additional minutes.

At one of the police stations in Yerevan, rapid response teams recorded an instance where an individual subjected to administrative detention was not registered in the "Register of Individuals Brought to the Police" on the grounds that they had not appeared or provided information to the police officers.

Monitoring media publications has highlighted an incident of violence that took place in Gyumri, where on May 8, 2022, several individuals participating in a car procession clashed with elderly individuals gathered at a booth by the roadside, inflicting intense blows on them. Moreover, video analyses indicate that the participants of the car procession significantly outnumbered the elderly individuals present, one of whom was even using a cane.

Investigations into media reports have also uncovered an instance where a police officer obstructed the professional activity of a journalist covering protests, demanding that their actions not be filmed and striking the journalist's camera.

The Human Rights Defender will pursue efforts to ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.