CE Committee on Torture Prevention distrusts Armenian authorities' inquiry of March 1 events

The Committee on Torture Prevention and Inhuman Treatment of the Council of Europe (CE) has called the authorities of Armenia, taking into account the seriousness of the events on March 1, 2008, to hold a public investigation of them. The Committee doubts the truthfulness of the inquiry held by the authorities.

"In the post-election period, on March 1, a police operation was undertaken, the aim of which was to disperse the meetings of the opposition in Yerevan. Dozens of people were detained during the operation and after; hundreds were wounded; several persons perished. All the detainees asserted that violent physical treatment was applied to them eight at detention, even if they rendered no resistance. Violent treatment included: blows with truncheons, blows with fists on the head and kicks," runs the Committee's report published on March 19 and based on the information gathered by its members who visited Armenia two years ago.

The official answer of the government of Armenia to the published report says: "The results of the investigation into the events on March 1 and their legal estimation can be given only after the end of the criminal procedures initiated in the context of these events. The government has provided all the details about the tear gas, rubber bullets and other special means used against demonstrators in the course of March 1 events."