Advocate calls on to re-qualify case on beating up "Sasna Tsrer" members

The special investigating service of Armenia has instituted a criminal case on abuse of power by policemen who in the courthouse used force against defendants in the case against members of the "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun) unit. The case should be instituted under the article on torture, stated advocate Ara Karaghezyan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 28, before the court hearing in the case against 14 members of the "Sasna Tsrer", a fight took place in the courthouse between the defendants and the policemen. The Armenian Ombudsman reported that physicians registered signs of violence on the defendants' bodies and demanded to immediately institute a criminal case.

A forensic medical examination was appointed in connection with the bodily injuries got by the members of the "Sasna Tsrer" unit. On July 4, a criminal case was instituted under Part 2 of Article 309 of the Armenian Criminal Code (abuse of power with the use of violence, weapons or special means), reported the Special Investigative Service (SSS) as quoted by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Ara Karaghezyan, an advocate of Araik Khandoyan, a member of the "Sasna Tsrer" unit, does not agree with the article under which the case was instituted. "For such cases, the Criminal Code of Armenia provides another Article 119 (torture)," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. The advocate has also added that his client still experiences both physical and psychological pain in connection with the beating.

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