I Don't Have the Evidence, But I Have Complaints Indicating the Use of Force Was Not Proportional: Human Rights Defender

During gatherings, there have been instances of the use of force by police that were not proportional. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan in a conversation with journalists.

“A number of incidents have even occurred outside of the filming frameworks. I do not have the evidence at my disposal, but I have complaints from people indicating that the use of force was not proportional,” she said.

Regarding the special means used, she reiterated that this is a matter that should be discussed separately and subjected to detailed analysis to determine whether the use of special means adhered to the principle of proportionality or not.

Concerning the accountability of police officers, the Human Rights Defender noted that any representative of a state body, including the police, who is presumed to have committed any type of rights violation, should naturally be held accountable.

When asked if she condemns the use of sound flash grenades against a proud citizen of Armenia, Manasyan replied, “I am not a politician; I have seen doubts regarding the maintenance of proportionality in the use of special means, and we have initiated the procedure for investigation.”

Manasyan mentioned that they still do not have information from the police regarding the type of sound flash grenade used against demonstrators at the Baghramyan-Proshyan intersection on June 12, and whether the special means used was of the “Zarya 3” type.

“At this stage, we are awaiting information from them,” Manasyan stated.

When asked whether several news outlets had sent inquiries to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain information about the type of sound flash grenade used, and after waiting 30 days without a response, whether this violated the rights of the media, Manasyan said, “All those media outlets will establish communication to resolve the issue.”