No Reports Received Regarding Kiran Events; MP's Statements Are Not Grounds, Prosecutor Says

We have not received any reports or data regarding the Kiran events that would serve as grounds for initiating an investigation and legal proceedings. This was stated by the Prosecutor General of Armenia, Anna Vardapetyan, during a program on Public Television, adding that statements by MPs are not grounds for action.

"A report of a crime has specific requirements, but irrespective of such a report, if there are publications accompanied by videos, such publications are certainly examined in the Prosecutor's Office and are sent for appropriate verification actions. If the data is sufficient, we send it directly to the investigative body to resolve the question of initiating proceedings. Regardless of the recent events, we have initiated proceedings for almost all reports and statements related to torture. In 2023, we sent five cases to court. Between 2022 and 2024, we have two final court decisions regarding the torture of four individuals, resulting in actual imprisonment," Vardapetyan noted.

In response to a remark indicating that the police used disproportionate force in Kiran, Vardapetyan said, "When discussions regarding police actions take place, we check whether the police officer, who is authorized to use force, does so proportionately or disproportionately. In cases of disproportionate force, proceedings are initiated. There are such proceedings underway. We even have instances involving patrol officers when a patrol officer struck a handcuffed citizen while issuing fines. That official is currently in custody."