IC initiates  criminal case regarding report of violence against  Samvel Vardanyan

ArmInfo. The Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case regarding the report  of violence against Samvel Vardanyan, involved in the case of insulting a pro- government MP.

According to the investigative body, the message received by the  Investigative Committee states that on April 15, 2024, after carrying  out the appropriate investigative action, during the escort of  detainees to the place of detention by police officers, S. Vardanyan,  detained on reasonable suspicion of committing hooliganism, was  subjected to violence, and actions were committed, humiliating his  dignity.

"In connection with a report in the Department for Investigation of  Crimes Related to Torture and Abuse or Abuse of Power by Officials  with the Use of Violence, the Main Directorate for Investigation of  Particularly Important Cases of the Investigative Committee of  Armenia initiated criminal proceedings under Part 7, Clause 2 of  Art.450 (torture by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code of  Armenia.  Vardanyan is recognized as a victim," the report says.

The incident occurred on April 15 between 14:10 and 14:30 in the area  of Arshakunyats-Agatangehos streets. According to the Investigative  Committee, Samvel Vardanyan voiced threats against Hakob Aslanyan,  "allowed himself to engage in antisocial behavior," grossly violated  public order, and also made "expressions that spread hatred towards  political power." Based on the report, criminal proceedings were  initiated under Part 1 of Article 297, which on April 17 was  supplemented with an article on inciting hostility and intolerance on  a political basis (faces 1 to 4 years in prison).

On the night of the 16th, on the way from the Investigative Committee  to the pre-trial detention center, 3 masked policemen severely beat  Vardanyan. According to his lawyers, on the way the police stopped  the car and got out under the pretext of relieving themselves. In the  absence of police, the detained Vardanyan was dragged out of the car  by unknown masked men, who began to beat and humiliate him.  "Next,  the police pulled down Samvel's pants and inserted a baton between  his legs. We heard something like this only from our boys who  returned from Azerbaijani captivity," they said.

Yesterday, the defense announced that they intended to file a crime  report on the fact of torture against Vardanyan to the investigative  body. "Even though the press had already talked about such a serious  crime, criminal proceedings were never initiated," lawyer Ruben  Melikyan. By a court decision dated April 17, Samvel Vardanyan was  arrested and must pay a bail of 7 million drams.