Armenian Ombudsperson reports detention of seven minors by the police

In the course of protests, law enforcers detained six minors aged 16-17 and one 13-year-old teenager, Kristine Grigoryan, the Armenian Ombudsperson, has stated. The teens claim that policemen used brutal physical force against them during the detention.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 28, oppositionists held marches to Yerevan from the Armavir and Aragatsotn Regions, demanding resignation of Premier Pashinyan and his government. During the marches in Yerevan, 39 activists were detained.

Ms Grigoryan has reported the detention of minor protesters in her page on the social network. She has noted that the rapid response team of her office had a conversation with the 35 activists detained on April 28 during protests.

"There were seven minors among them, one was 13 years old; the rest are 16-17. According to witnesses' testimonies, the 13-year-old teen was detained, according to sources, by four or even six policemen. At detention, policemen ignored the teen's age," the Ombudsperson writes. After the intervention of her office staff, the 13-year-old boy was released immediately.

"The teenagers have claimed that the police failed to acquaint them with their rights. According to the minors, during detention, policemen used brutal physical force," Ms Grigoryan has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 29, 2022 at 07:01 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.