Statement on Appointing Samvel Tonoyan as Head of Charentsavan Police Department
14:46, April 23, 2012 | Announcements | PoliceOn April 12, 2012, V.Gasparyan, Chief of the RA Police, signed a decree whereas Samvel Tonoyan was appointed Head of the Charentsavan Police Department.
On April 13, 2010, Vahan Khalafyan, was one of six citizens, along with David Gyulumyan, Norayr Chilyan, Arayik Arakelyan, Artur Ispiryan, and Shiraz Markosyan, who were brought to the Charentsavan Police Station. Vahan Khalafyan died on the same day in the police station.
As a result of an investigation, conducted by the HCA Vanadzor Office, concerning the details of Vahan Khalafyan’s death and within the scope of the criminal case, the facts of violence initiated against the people brought to the police station were proved. Within the scope of the criminal case, a number of the employees of the criminal department of the Charentsavan Police Station were indicted. . A.Harutyunyan, Head of the criminal department, was found guilty and sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. Amnesty was applied towards operational officers, Garik Davtyan, Gagik Ghazaryan, and Mores Hayrapetyan and they were later released.
During the preliminary examination, and court trial on the death of Vahan Khalafyan, , information and reports were published in the mass media concerning the possible role of Samvel Tonoyan, who was at that time Deputy Head of Operative Investigations at the Charentsavan Police Department.
Although S. Tonoyan was only involved as a witness during the preliminary examination and court trial, the evidence and explanations given by him about his involvement in the case of Vahan Khalafyan’s death, did not sound reliable. .
The fact that the RA Chief of Police appointed Samvel Tonoyan as Head of the Police of Charentsavan raises doubt as to why the Chief of the RA Police appoints a person whose subordinate officers were accused of performing violence and torture against citizens, one of which had died, to the post of Head of Police. .
We find that such a staff appointment causes a threat of violation of human rights by the Charentsavan Police Department as the responsibility lies not only on S.Tonoyan individually, but also on the RA Chief of Police, V.Gasparan.
Vanadzor
13.04.2012