Ֆոտոլուր
Police officer Harutyunyan says he is not guilty
A former head of a criminal investigation department in Armenia’s central town of Charentsavan, has told a court that he is being set up on charges that he tortured a suspect until the man committed suicide.
Ashot Harutyunyan says three investigators who testified against him had done so after making a deal with the Special Investigatory Service (SIS) to cover up the truth.
The case concerns the death of Vahan Khalafyan, 24, who was brought to a police station on April 13 on suspicion of theft and died in police custody later that day. The man’s family and a number of leading human rights activists have challenged this version of events, claiming that Khalafyan was tortured and killed.
Harutyunyan testified in court late last week that what happened to Khalafyan took place in his absence and that he went to the scene only after “hearing some noise”.
“When I went into the office, the chairs were in disorder... This shows that there had been a scuffle and struggle there,” said Harutyunyan.
Detective Moris Hayarapetyan earlier said in his testimony that Harutyunyan had beaten Khalafyan, who was so terrified he picked up a kitchen knife and killed himself with it. Hayrapetyan, who was initially placed in custody, was later released on a written oath to remain available while the investigation and trial were on.
In his testimony before the Kotayk marz’s court Harutyunyan claimed that the SIS had tried to make a deal with him as well, suggesting that he “testify against his bosses.”
”I’ll put it bluntly: there was such an offer that I testify against my bosses and they would ‘see what they could do for me’. Had I done anything wrong, I would have agreed to that deal to get out of harm’s way quickly… But I’m saying now that I’ve done nothing wrong,” stressed Harutyunyan.
The defendant accused the police of trying “to save their prestige”. He said the police are “terrified at the thought that a man has died at the hands of a police officer” and do not care about revealing the truth.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Friday.
English
Հայերեն
ՎԵՐԵՎ 
Readers' comments
Post a comment
Comments are welcomed and encouraged. However, comments not pertaining to the topic or containing slander or offensive language will be deleted. You have to be registered to be able leave your comment. Sign in or Register now for free.