Epress.am News from Armenia
Law enforcement agencies did not carry out a proper investigation in a rape case, and as a result, 28-year-old Hasmik (her name has been changed) failed to achieve justice, though she was not afraid of public discussions about her and called the police, representatives of women's rights organizations told the press outside the presidential palace in Yerevan.
With the aim of bringing attention to the violations in the case, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women in Armenia held a protest demonstration across the street from the president's residence. Four Coalition members entered the building and submitted their letter detailing the violations in the case to the reception desk. According to the Coalition, Hasmik's case was examined by three investigators: A. Kaveyan, K. Hakobyan, and V. Manukyan.
Speaking to Epress.am, Women's Resource Center of Armenia Executive Director Lara Aharonian (in video below) said that all three investigators violated confidentiality, informing Hasmik's relatives about the rape and putting pressure on Hasmik's family. One of the investigators is even a relative of the suspect.
"We use the name 'Hasmik' conditionally, for the woman's safety, and because any one of us may find ourselves in the same situation," said Aharonian.
Note, the suspect in the case is at large, and though the incident occurred 2 years ago and the case reached the Court of Cassation, he was not arrested or held in detention. After protesting outside the president's office, those seeking justice in Hasmik's case marched to the Court of Cassation.