Garik Galeyan Arrested for Hooliganism and Drug Possession for Sale: Defense Lawyer

Garik Galeyan, the father of a serviceman who died in the 44-day Artsakh war, has been arrested for committing two offenses: hooliganism and possession of drugs for sale. This was stated by Galeyan's lawyer, Vahan Hovhannisyan, during a conversation with reporters.

Regarding the second charge presented, Hovhannisyan mentioned that he does not even know how to classify it. As for the first charge of hooliganism, it refers to an incident that occurred last year near the Office of the Prosecutor General of Armenia.

“When the parents were conducting legal actions, carrying out a lawful protest, one of the government provocateurs intervened in the demonstration and Garik Galeyan poured water from a bottle onto his head. This act was viewed as group hooliganism; moreover, it is unclear to me who the other member of that group is—presumably the bottle, as this is not clarified in the indictment,” Hovhannisyan said.

The lawyer noted that after the incident, they reported a crime to the Central Police Department regarding the injuries sustained by the father of the deceased, Vahid Sahakyan, and Garik Galeyan's brother, Arthur Galeyan.

“None of the parents or participants of the protest have been questioned up to this point; only police officers have been questioned, and hooliganism charges have been made solely based on the statements of the police officers,” Hovhannisyan emphasized.

According to him, if we compare the factual side of this charge with another notorious incident that took place months ago when the President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonian, publicly spat on a citizen, it appears that in Galeyan's case either there is no hooliganism or there is an evident discriminatory treatment present.

“In other words, the hooliganism article is a provision kept in the pocket of the state for accusing undesirable persons,” the lawyer stated.

He mentioned that his client does not accept the charges under the two articles and considers it political persecution.

Earlier, we reported that a search is being conducted at the home of the parents of Mikitar Galeyan, who died in the 44-day war. It was also noted that the Investigative Committee confirmed the arrest of Garik Galeyan.