|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||
|
December 2, 2005 The “New” Constitution Continues to be “Blessed” by Abuse Yerevan—On December 2, at around 6:30 pm. the National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) program coordinator and Heritage Party member Edgar Hakobian was taken into custody at Yerevan’s Mashtots Avenue. Two individuals in civilian clothes, without introducing themselves, grabbed Hakobian by the arms, forced him into an unmarked car and took him to Kentron Police Station. There, these two officers wrote a report addressed to Hovik Tamamian, the Station Chief, giving him the “good news” of having arrested yet another person near the Matenadaran. Subsequently, Hakobian was brought before other police officers who likewise did not introduce themselves. Araik Petrosian, another detainee, was encouraged, in Hakobian’s presence, to write a “confession” as to why he was near the Matenadaran. A large part of the “confession” was actually written by the police. Later, another officer came in and stated that everyone must gather in one room. Fifteen people, including one woman, had “assembled” there. This was followed by the arrival of police officers from different stations who took the detainees to their registered districts. Consequently, Edgar Hakobian was taken to the Arabkir Police Station. There, Hakobian was initially taken to the room of the officer on duty and then to the Deputy Police Chief of the Station. The latter advised Hakobian not to attend the public assemblies, in particular, the ones that are not “sanctioned.” He was also informed that this was an oral notification and that he would face criminal charges next time he took part in such rallies. A staff member of Arabkir’s criminal investigation department was also present during this “conversation.” As soon as the news about Edgar Hakobian’s detention was heard, a group arrived at Arabkir Police Station. The group consisted of MP and secretary of Armenia’s People’s Party Grigor Harutiunian; Heritage Party coordinator Gevorg Kalenchian; NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian; Karapet Kalenchian; Stiopa Safarian; and representatives of the media. The last telephone contact with Hakobian was at the time he was entering the Station. After that point, Hakobian was ordered by the Deputy Police Chief not to answer the calls.
Police Major Martirosian, in seeing the presence of television and cameras, demanded that the latter be turned off, otherwise he threatened he would confiscate them. He also swore that he would “find out” whether the person they were “searching” was among them. Everyone was ordered to leave the Station citing the excuse that cameras were prohibited. The cameraman was instructed to record only from “outside,” that is, only the exterior of the Station fence. At that time, it was announced that Edgar Hakobian would be released in 20 minutes. Later, the police officers supervising the entrance of the Station, stated that perhaps Hakobian had already gone home, or was not even at the Station. They also remarked that Hakobian had come to the Station on his own. These comments created a more intense situation. MP Grigor Harutiunian demanded to see the Police Chief. He received no reply to his request nor did he receive an answer to his question: “If I am the organizer of the rally, then why are you taking other people into custody?” Instantly, NCI prepared a letter of petition addressed to Chief Avetisian of the Arabkir Police Station requesting the grounds for detaining Edgar Hakobian. Police Major Martirosian, guarding the door of the Station, Police Lieutenant Colonel Militonian, and others refused to accept the letter. The officer remained unmoved at the explanation that the letter was a statement in connection with the seizure. Moreover, the police turned down Karapet Kalenchian’s demand to sign attesting to the fact that they had refused taking the petition and the statement. Later, it was possible to reconnect with Hakobian who informed the group that at 22:00, two police officers had taken him out of the Station from the back entrance and had tried to immediately escort him home. However Edgar Hakobian, making a detour around the Station, approached those who were waiting for him at the entrance of the station.
Accordingly, a number of crimes were committed in a matter of few hours. Edgar Hakobian was seized by the police at around 18:30, and in violation of all the requirements stipulated by Armenia’s Law “On Police,”
Edgar Hakobian, in recent years, has stood out for his civic activism. As NCI program coordinator he has organized, in August and October, public roundtables to examine the unlawful acts being carried out, under the guise of “state needs,” in Northern Avenue and other construction zones in Yerevan. He has taken part in rallies organized against these and other illegalities, and was always present at the Citizens’ Assembly that was called by Raffi Hovannisian at the Liberty Square. This odyssey of Edgar Hakobian is not the only and possibly the most bizarre account.
|
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
