ArmInfo. The Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case regarding the report of violence against Samvel Vardanyan, involved in the case of insulting a pro- government MP.
According to the investigative body, the message received by the Investigative Committee states that on April 15, 2024, after carrying out the appropriate investigative action, during the escort of detainees to the place of detention by police officers, S. Vardanyan, detained on reasonable suspicion of committing hooliganism, was subjected to violence, and actions were committed, humiliating his dignity.
"In connection with a report in the Department for Investigation of Crimes Related to Torture and Abuse or Abuse of Power by Officials with the Use of Violence, the Main Directorate for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated criminal proceedings under Part 7, Clause 2 of Art.450 (torture by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Vardanyan is recognized as a victim," the report says.
The incident occurred on April 15 between 14:10 and 14:30 in the area of Arshakunyats-Agatangehos streets. According to the Investigative Committee, Samvel Vardanyan voiced threats against Hakob Aslanyan, "allowed himself to engage in antisocial behavior," grossly violated public order, and also made "expressions that spread hatred towards political power." Based on the report, criminal proceedings were initiated under Part 1 of Article 297, which on April 17 was supplemented with an article on inciting hostility and intolerance on a political basis (faces 1 to 4 years in prison).
On the night of the 16th, on the way from the Investigative Committee to the pre-trial detention center, 3 masked policemen severely beat Vardanyan. According to his lawyers, on the way the police stopped the car and got out under the pretext of relieving themselves. In the absence of police, the detained Vardanyan was dragged out of the car by unknown masked men, who began to beat and humiliate him. "Next, the police pulled down Samvel's pants and inserted a baton between his legs. We heard something like this only from our boys who returned from Azerbaijani captivity," they said.
Yesterday, the defense announced that they intended to file a crime report on the fact of torture against Vardanyan to the investigative body. "Even though the press had already talked about such a serious crime, criminal proceedings were never initiated," lawyer Ruben Melikyan. By a court decision dated April 17, Samvel Vardanyan was arrested and must pay a bail of 7 million drams.
