10:51, 23 July 2008

Armenian resident complains of pressure to evidence against deputy

Armenian Ombudsman Armen Arutyunyan receives complaints, where applicants report that in connection with the criminal cases opened on the events on March 1-2 the law enforcement bodies are applying physical and psychological violence with an attempt to get evidences from certain citizens against others.

The Ombudsman's office informs that Armen Arutyunyan has expressed his concern of the above phenomena and called the law enforcement bodies to act, when exercising their powers, strictly within the bounds of the law, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

In particular, the Ombudsman has drawn attention of Chief of Police Alik Sarkisyan and Head of the Special Investigatory Service Andranik Mirzoyan to one of such applications received from citizen Gagik Avdalyan.

The Ombudsman's letter runs that Gagik Avdalyan has informed that employees of the Special Investigatory Service and policemen used methods of physical and psychological pressure to force him into false evidences on post-election processes against the arrested deputy of the National Assembly Myasnik Malkhasyan and some other citizens.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent