Convict Reports Armenian Police Tortured Him to Extort Confession

Convict Artashes A. of the “Vanadzor” penitentiary institution has filed a report with the Special Investigation Service of Armenia that accuses local police officers of extorting confessions from him by torture. 

According to the convict's report the incident took place on March 17, 2015 at the Tashir division of the RA Police. Artashes A. alleged that the Deputy Chief of the division along with an officer of the same department tortured him by inflicting numerous blows on different parts of his body. The law enforcement officers, the report said, forced Artashes A. to confess to carrying out the robbery of a local resident's house.

Based on the convict's report the RA Special Investigation Service has initiated criminal proceedings pursuant to the RA Criminal Code, Article 309 Part 1 (Actions willfully committed by an official which obviously exceed his authorities and caused essential damage to the rights of citizens, organizations, state or legal interests).