Group of LGBT Activists Attacked in Yerevan, Mocked by Hospital Staff

Five LGBT activists were beaten on February 15 in Yerevan and were subsequently shown disrespect and treated badly by the staff of the Heratsi hospital complex, Public Information and Need of Knowledge NGO (PINK Armenia) executive director Mamikon Hovsepyan told Epress.am Wednesday, branding the incident a “hate crime.”

The activists, Hovsepyan said, were attacked by a group of 3-4 unknown assailants Monday evening on a central Yerevan street. In addition to beating the activists, the group shouted profanities related to the sexual orientation of one of the victims. 

In the hospital following the attack, the speaker added, the most seriously injured activist was subjected to mockery and ridicule by the medical staff: “Let's get you a blood test and see if you have any abnormalities we could cure,” Hovsepyan cited a staffer as saying.

The hospital also failed to conduct a proper medical examination: “They demanded money, otherwise refusing to treat [the victim]. They carried out some external exams, drew up protocols, and discharged him,” Hovsepyan said.

The victims have filed a police report in connection with the attack. They also intend to complain against the medical treatment to the Health Ministry.