Yesterday the Chief of the Police Alik Sargsyan during a press conference was asked how he evaluates the provisions of the report of the U.S. State Department Human Rights Watch on the excessive use of force by Police on March 1, 2008. Alik Sargsyan declared that he did not break the law he just did his duty. Alik Sargsyan said that there can be the impression that there is no government in the country and the police is blamed for everything. He said that he disagrees with that opinion and adds that the police was protecting the public order during of which “there could naturally be victims”. Reminder: According to the report, on March 1, 2008 the police used excessive force by beating protesters, who were not aggressive. “The use of armed force was often targeted at innocent people, as a result of which even teenagers suffered.”
Last threats on the eve of March 1 rally
It is not hard to predict that prior to the rally of the opposition planed on March 1 the government in the face of a high-rank state official would give a press conference aimed at executing certain “prophylactic” measures. And it’s not an accident that yesterday a press conference was held personally by the chief of police Alik Sargsyan, who among other themes also addressed the coming March 1 rally. He said that the government is not scared of March 1 and vice versa it is more than ever ready compared to the last year. “We are completely ready to supervise the situation”, declared Alik Sargsyan appealing to the citizens not to “cherish other hopes”. Sargsryan says that the Police will not permit anyone to close streets and disturb traffic making impression that something is happening in the city. “The atmosphere of fear must disappear from Yerevan”. The Chief of the police advised the opposition to take up more civil measures because it will bring to more results but continuing this way no one will be able to seize the power.
About March 1
The Chief of the Armenian Police, Alik Sargsyan doesn’t support the annual report of the U.S. Department of State which gives a negative evaluation to the violent clashes between the police and demonstrators in Yerevan on March 1, 2008. In particular, the report underlines that the Armenian police gave an inadequate response to the demonstrators. Sargsyan says the U.S. State Department had better care for the clashes in their country. “The same truncheons, teargas are used. People are taken into custody.” When journalists reminded that the police don’t open fire at demonstrators in France, Sargsyan said “the French opposition only holds peaceful rallies.” He also advised journalists to refrain from comparing Armenia with France. Let’s remind that during a similar rally in France “peaceful demonstrators” set hundreds of cars and state buildings on fire and broke shop windows. “I don’t think the Armenian police employed excessive force or acted beyond the law,” said Alik Sargsyan. “I don’t think that active steps are being taken now that may lead to the violation of human rights,” he added regarding the recent report on Armenia by Human Rights Watch. The police didn’t imagine that provocations can be incited, therefore they didn’t supervise the situation and couldn’t avert the further clashes in due time. “Idleness is also considered a crime” reminded the chief of the police and added that this could be the only indictment. Alik Sargsyan says they are not concerned about the upcoming rally of March 1. They are well prepared and will be able to control the situation round-the-clock. The police will isolate anyone who will call for mass disorder. Alik Sargsryan says that people have a right to freely walk in the streets and look from their balconies. “The atmosphere of fear must be dispersed in Yerevan”, said Sargsryan. The Chief of the Police announced that the police also had two victims on March 1 and they are going to honor their memory.
About the report of the State Department
The Chief of the Police Alik Sargsyan during a press conference was asked how he evaluates the provisions of the report of the U.S. State Department Human Rights Watch on the excessive use of force by Police on March 1, 2008. Alik Sargsyan declared that he did not break the law he just did his duty. Alik Sargsyan said that there can be the impression that there is no government in the country and the police is blamed for everything. He said that he disagrees with that opinion and adds that the police was protecting the public order during of which “there could naturally be victims”. At the same time Alik Sargsyan admits that on March 1 the police did not use all its possibilities. According to the Chief of the police who was the head of one of the Armenian regions this time last year, on March 1 the police was probably a little slow and if it could control the situation it would be possible to avoid March 1. He said that this slowness could be considered even a crime as it resulted in victims among policemen. Alik Sargsyan noted that he blames the Police for having a victim among them and also for the slowness but stressed that the Police did not break any law on that day. By the way Alik Sargsyan advises foreign organization first to see what is happening in their countries before assessing what happened in Armenia as there bludgeons are used too. In response to this statement the reporters answered that people do not die during it. And at this time the Chief of the Police said that there is no need to compare what happens abroad to Armenia.
About Gevorg Mheryan’s murder
“The assassination of the Deputy Chief of the Police Gevorg Mheryan was a blow both to the Police and to the State and its revelation is a matter of honor for the Police and the State,” told the reporters the Chief of the Police Alik Sargsyan. Alik Sargsyan did not go into details about the process of investigation noting that they work on 4 possible versions of the case and they need a little time. Alik Sargsyan did not say when he is going to hold the next press conference but extended hope that during the next conference he will have more concrete information and will be able to say which of 4 versions is excluded and which one they focus their attention on. Alik Sargsyan ensured that they will do everything to reveal the case as it is a matter of honor for them.