The case of Asya Khachatryan, who was subjected to degrading treatment by police officers in Artsakh, is being investigated by the RA Special Investigation Service, and she was referred to the authorities of Artsakh for psychological service
18:54, May 14, 2018 | News, Own news
On the basis of the report by Asya Khachatryan, who was subjected to degrading treatment in the Police of Artsakh in February of this year, a criminal case was initiated at the Department for the Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the RA on April 3, 2018.
The criminal case was sent to the RA Special Investigation Service with a view to conducting a preliminary investigation.
In February 2018, police officers from Stepanakert persecuted Asya Khachatryan for three days due to her distinct appearance and smoking in the street, as reported by Asya.
First, the police officers came up to Asya, who was strolling in the streets of Stepanakert late in the evening, demanded an identification document, went to her apartment on the following two days, searched it and took Asya to the police station, where she was subjected to disrespectful treatment, humiliation and violence.
Asya Khachatryan submitted a crime report to the RA Prosecutor General’s Office on February 23, 2018 and submitted a crime report to the General Department on Combating Organized Crime of the RA Police on March 29.
Senior Prosecutor of the Department for the Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Prosecutor General’s Office H. Petrosyan initiated a criminal case under Article 309 Section 2 of the RA Criminal Code (exceeding official authorities committed with violence) on April 3, 2018.
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor undertook the defense of Asya Khachatryan’s rights. Advocate at HCA Vanadzor Arayik Zalyan, who is Asya Khachatryan’s representative, turned to Prosecutor General of the RA A. Davtyan and RA Minister of Justice D. Harutyunyan in connection with the issue of providing Asya Khachatryan with psychological service. Deputy Minister of Justice of the RA Artak Asatryan mentioned in his response dated May 4, 2018 that it was necessary to apply to the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh for the possible provision of psychological services as the case had occurred there.
It is interesting that the criminal case on the citizen of the RA being subjected to degrading treatment by the police officers of Artsakh was initiated at the RA Prosecutor General’s Office. However, the RA Ministry of Justice refused to provide psychological support to the same citizen and referred her to the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh.
We have not received a response from the RA Prosecutor General’s Office yet.