Complaints
have been addressed to the Human Rights Defender of Armenia that in recent days
the law enforcement bodies have been apprehending residents of Goris community
of Syunik region and forcing them to give false testimonies. There are also
publications about this on the Internet, which will be sent today to the
Prosecutor's Office for investigation.
According
to the complaints, the residents received social assistance from community
bodies periodically, including during 2021. However, law enforcement bodies,
including police servicemen, brought them to the Police division without sufficient
grounds, deprived them of liberty for hours, forced them to give directed
testimonies that the Head of the enlarged community of Goris, the Heads of
Karahunj and Vorotan communities gave them social support as election bribes.
There are also reports that residents are being forced to testify on a number
of other issues.
According
to the residents, they have always received social assistance, and they were
unconnected to the elections and the voting or not voting for the incumbent
Prime Minister or the head of another political force.
According
to the alarming-calls, pressure has been exerted specifically on women, and threats
are made to move, apprehend or detain them or their spouses in Yerevan for
failing to provide evidence requested by law enforcement bodies.
Taking
into consideration the complaints and alarming-calls, a group from the Office
of the Human Rights Defender was dispatched to Syunik province to study the
issues related to the protection of the rights of the residents on site, to
have the necessary meetings and to take the needed measures.
On
the instructions of the Human Rights Defender, visits will be made today to the
Heads of the arrested Karahunj and Vorotan administrative districts. Today, a
visit will be made to the Head of Kajaran community, in the penitentiary
institution.
Հայերեն
