For 10 Days Police were Unable to Locate Journalist: Police Tell Their Side of the Story

In arresting journalist Hayk Gevorgyan, the police clearly and legitimately fulfilled its task, reads a statement issued by Armenian police. Recall, the Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) journalist was arrested early this morning and charged with a hit and run.

The police statement reads as follows:

“On Jan. 13 at around 5:30 pm, outside 8 Mher Mkrtchyan St. in Yerevan, a VAZ-21214 model vehicle ran over Ashot Frangulyan, who received bodily injuries, while the driver escaped from the scene of the incident. […]

“Frangulyan explained that the aforementioned vehicle ran him over while reversing. The driver stopped the car and got out, threatened to call the police, then dishonored him, got in his car and leaving him helpless, escaped.

“Frangulyan was taken to St. Gregory the Illuminator Medical Center, where he was treated. According to a forensic examination, his harm was of medium gravity… Based on Ashot Frangulyan’s complaint, a criminal case was launched on Jan. 20 and an investigation started.

“It became known that the aforementioned vehicle is registered in the name of [Haykakan Jamanak chief editor Nikol Pashinyan’s wife] Anna Hakobyan, who was duly summoned on Jan. 14 and 16 to come in for questioning; however, on Jan. 19, her husband called the police investigation division and without giving a reputable reason stated that he and his wife are refusing to come to the station.

“The RA Police central division was instructed to uncover the identity of the driver.

“A written response was received that Hayk Gevorgyan was responsible for the hit and run, who in a likewise duly manner, by post as well as via the police Malatya division was summoned on Jan. 17 to come in for questioning.

“Hayk Gevorgyan, calling the investigator on Jan. 20, agreed to come in for a questioning at a set date and time, but did not present himself.

“The fact of Hayk Gevorgyan being responsible for the hit and run was admitted on Jan. 23 according to protocol that a photo be taken for identification.

“On Jan. 23, a decision was made to detain Hayk Gevorgyan. Gevorgyan wasn’t found in the outcome of operations-intelligence measures taken. On the same day, a decision was made to declare Hayk Gevorgyan wanted and imprisonment was chosen as the precautionary measure.

“On Feb. 3, Hayk Gevorgyan was found, arrested and sent to Nubarashen penitentiary.”