Protestor Outside Presidential Palace Went to Psychiatric Clinic of His Own Free Will: Ombudsman

The Ombudsman's office has terminated the investigation into Ashot Khudoyan's complaint, Khudoyan's wife, Heghine Makaryan, informed Epress.am on Tuesday, adding that the Ombudsman's office based its decision only on the remarks of the police. Recall, Khudoyan submitted a complaint against the police, who on Nov. 12 forcibly shoved him in an ambulance and took him to a psychiatric clinic while he was protesting outside the president's residence. 

According to the office of the Ombudsman, or Human Rights Defender, police had received information that Ashot Khudoyan was preparing to immolate himself and his child, which is why they came and asked Khudoyan to leave. The protestor agreed to leave, but seeing journalists next to the ambulance, he began to assume the role of a helpless demonstrator. 

"Now I have a question: is Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan a human rights defender or someone who collaborates with the police?" asked Makaryan. 

Recall, Khudoyan had sewn his mouth shut as part of his hunger strike and sit-in outside the presidential administration. The moment when he was forcibly shoved into the ambulance can be seen in the Epress.am video below.