"Public Verdict" Foundation presents film about Mardiros Demerchyan

The filmmakers hope to attract media attention to the re-trial in the Mardiros Demerchyan's case, as well as to the bad situation in which his family members found themselves after the builder had complained about torture. This was reported by a member of the "Public Verdict".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mardiros Demerchyan who worked at construction of Olympic facilities claims that after his detention on June 12, 2013, on suspicion of stealing building materials, he was subjected to severe torture. The law enforcement authorities did not only refuse to institute a criminal case at the complaint of Mardiros Demerchyan, but also accused him of slandering the police.

On December 17, 2014, the court found Mardiros Demerchyan guilty of false denunciation of policemen. However, on April 2, 2015, the verdict was cancelled. At present, the case is re-considered.

On August 29, the documentary film "The seventh trouble", produced by the "Public Verdict" Foundation, was published on YouTube.

According to Ilya Shatin, a PR and Media expert of the "Public Verdict" Foundation, the filmmakers want to attract the journalists' attention to the new trial, which was started on July 11, 2016.

"Mardiros Demerchyan is brought to trial for the second time, since because we have been succeeded in cancellation of the first sentence... Meanwhile, we, of course, very much want the people to help the Demerchyan's family members. After the incident, he cannot work, and his family members have to survive due to allowance to families with many children and assistance of concerned neighbours and friends. It is important to inform wide audience about this family to ensure that the people who have found themselves in trouble by fault of the state are not left alone and feel support. And all that will help them survive the incident and struggle further," said Ilya Shatin.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.