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Police Department Death: Senior Officer Charged With Negligence

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  • Police Department Death: Senior Officer Charged With Negligence

    POLICE DEPARTMENT DEATH: SENIOR OFFICER CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENCE
    Gayane Abrahamyan

    ArmeniaNow reporter
    30.04.10 | 14:35

    Suicide or murder?: Death controversy in the police department

    A top-ranking police investigator has been charged in connection with
    the suspicious and controversial death of suspect Vahan Khalafyan
    who died in police custody in Charentsavan April 13.

    According to Special Investigation Services, Ashot Harutyunyan, Head
    of the Criminal Investigative Department of Charentsavan (about 40
    kilometers north of Yerevan), is guilty of negligence in his role in
    the 24-year-old's death - a charge that could result in 6-10 years
    imprisonment.

    The investigation says Harutyunyan "applied violence, leading to
    serious consequence". It also charges that Harutyunyan coerced
    Khalafyan into confessing to theft.

    Until now, police have maintained that Khalafyan killed himself with
    a kitchen knife - stabbing himself twice in the abdomen while being
    interrogated.

    State Chief of Police Alik Sargsyan initially stated that Khalafyan
    was questioned calmly, and that no violence was committed against him.

    "No one laid a finger on him," Sargsyan assured.

    Harutyunyan was detained according to violation of Criminal Code
    engaging in "actions willfully committed by an official which obviously
    exceeded his authorities, which negligently caused grave consequences
    . . ."

    The State Special Investigation Service also revealed that "several
    employees of the police department witnessed violence committed
    against Khalafyan."

    In early this week, the International Federation of Human Rights
    (FIDH), and Human Rights Watch international organization made a
    statement on the case and Ombudsman of Armenia Armen Harutyunyan
    appealed to investigate the case properly.

    "This is not the first case when people go to the Police Department
    and are taken out dead. . . . Some measure should be finally taken,"
    the Ombudsman says.
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