Epress.am News from Armenia
In the case of military conscript Mher Khlghatyan, 18, who was taken to the Central Military Hospital in Yerevan, criminal proceedings have been launched and there have been arrests, including the head of the medical service of the military unit, said RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan at a press briefing on Thursday.
According to him, before talking about retribution, it first must be proven whether force was applied or not. "If it is confirmed, then the guilty will be punished — both criminally and administratively. The case has been launched. Our law enforcement [bodies] will reach a conclusion," he said.
Asked by a reporter whether he considers the act against Khlghatyan as torture, considering that there were traces of violence, such as cigarettes being put out, on the soldier's body, Ohanyan said: "There are no such traces. Torture is not a proven fact. Especially with the latest data; he regained consciousness and says no such incident occurred."
Recall, earlier, Khlghatyan's relatives had informed Shamshyan.com that the soldier was severely beaten in the Chopruli military unit in Nagorno-Karabakh and there were signs of violence on the young man's body.
"Prior to being moved to Yerevan, the soldier for a few days had serious problems with his lungs, and at the military unit's infirmary, the doctors and nurses used violence against him, among whom Arman and Narek displayed the most aggression. Prior to moving him to the hospital in Yerevan, the soldier was taken to the military hospital in Vardenis, where after keeping him for some time and realizing that they can't provide the necessary medical care, they moved him to Yerevan," said Khlghatyan's relatives.