Murder Accused Removed Stitches on His Mouth After Attorney’s Appeal

Karen Kungortsev, 22, accused of the murder of David Hovakimyan, 15, and currently being held in the Vanadzor Penitentiary, removed the stitches he used to sew his mouth shut last week in protest of unlawful police conduct.

In particular, the RA Police television program Hertapah Mas showed his photo and claimed he admitted his guilt; however, according to the accused, he has not admitted his guilty, and he had nothing to do with Hovakimyan’s murder.  

Kungortsev’s attorney, Helsinki Association for Human Rights representative Ara Papikyan told Epress.am that he advised the young man to remove the stitches. According to the attorney, he has not yet received all the documents from the inspector; he is currently studying the materials in his possession. Based on consideration of the facts at this point in time, the attorney is convinced that his client is not guilty.

Papikyan also noted that twice he met with his client in private, and after their third meeting, Kungortsev will be ready to testify.