Lawyers Demand Action: Protest in Yerevan

Armenian lawyers are staging a protest in support of their colleagues who have faced violence while performing their professional duties. The lawyers began their demonstration from the Chamber of Advocates and then marched towards the European Union office.

During the protest, lawyers carried placards with messages in Armenian and English stating: "EU funds are being spent on violence against lawyers." On June 7, police used violence and arrested lawyer Karen Alaverdyan during an attempt to defend a client from assault.

“No investigative actions have been conducted in my case, except for filing charges and the process of choosing a preventive measure. I learned from the media that a criminal case has been opened regarding my report, but to this day, I have not received any procedural documents. It is even unclear what the number of that case is, or what procedural status I have been given and other details that would allow me to defend my rights. Currently, I am a defendant,” said Alaverdyan.

He referred to a statement from the RA Investigative Committee regarding the incident, which mentioned that the lawyer, upon seeing his client in handcuffs, confronted police officers, pulling their clothes, pushing them, hitting them, and attempting to free his client from custody.

According to Alaverdyan, even a boiled chicken would laugh while reading that statement, as there are extremely unclear moments written there.

Hayk Harutyunyan, a member of the Chamber of Advocates and a public defender, spoke with reporters about what should be done if such phenomena do not receive adequate responses. “Our struggle is against the phenomenon itself, not just specific cases. It has become a stain in our practice. The legal community must raise its voice against violence, so that these incidents do not happen again in practice. In the last four months, two cases have been recorded (of lawyers being assaulted). Such incidents could recur if we do not speak out about this,” noted Harutyunyan.

Lawyer Taron Simonian also emphasized that the work of a lawyer has always been dangerous, although he does not recall previous incidents of assault. He underscored that there have been conflicts with police, investigators, or other law enforcement agencies.

Former president of the Chamber of Advocates Ara Zohrapyan also announced that on June 20, at 11:00 AM, they will hold a relevant protest near the police headquarters. Further details will be provided on-site.