Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan responded to a video showing a police officer allegedly abusing a citizen, stating that any form of violence is strictly unacceptable and condemnable.
She confirmed that the Human Rights Defender’s Office launched an investigation immediately after the video was published by a journalist on February 3. A formal letter was sent the same day to the Prosecutor General’s Office requesting a criminal investigation and legal assessment of the officer’s actions.
Manasyan stressed that all instances of violence must receive proper legal evaluation and that perpetrators must be held accountable. “The state has clear legal obligations in this regard,” she added.
She emphasized the importance of swift, objective, and thorough investigations in such cases, as well as providing the public with permissible levels of information. The Defender noted that such incidents are closely monitored and necessary steps are taken within her legal mandate.
Daniel Ioannisyan, Programs Coordinator at the Union of Informed Citizens NGO, also commented on Facebook, saying the officer should be arrested. He warned that failure to do so would imply that the Investigative Committee is facilitating such crimes.
