Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, Karen Andreasyan, has stated that his office has formally sent a list of questions to the RA Department of Police regarding what it describes as the “unprofessional and emotionally-charged  behaviour of certain policemen during a scuffle that broke out with protestors on Saturday at Komitas Street.

Last Saturday, demonstrators protesting the construction of a high-rise building at 5 Komitas Street, blocked traffic on the busy thoroughfare by sitting in the middle of the street. Police moved in and removed the protestors. The actions of some policemen were seen to be excessive and not in line with regulations regarding how police should respond in such cases.

Regarding the behaviour of the protestors, that some resisted the police and even insulted them, Mr. Andreasyan stated that this was a matter for the courts. He added that unfortunately few in Armenia expect the courts to objectively examine the matter.

Mr. Andreasyan states that this substantiated mistrust of the courts sometimes leads people to take the law into their own hands which, while understandable on a human level, is nevertheless impermissible from a legal standpoint.

The Human Rights Defender also raises concerns about the beating of Mihran Margaryan and Babken Der-Grigorian, participants in the sit-down demonstration outside the Yerevan Municipality.

Protestors there have been calling for the resignations of officials involved in the recent transit fare hikes that were later temporarily in the light of widespread demonstrations by activists and citizens.

Mr. Andreasyan has urged the police to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.