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.
