Police Chief Must Have Not Remained at His Position More than a Minute: Sakunts

Chief of Police Alik Sargsyan, who disseminated wrong information about the killing of Vahan Khalafyan in the Charentsavan Police Station, should have resigned from his position far long ago, Head of the Vanadzor office of Helsinki Civil Assembly Arthur Sakunts said at a press conference today.

"Sargis Hatspanyan was sentenced for giving false testimony, while the Chief of Police is not punished for his false statement," said Sakunts, adding that they can bring about a whole package of evidence to counter Sargsyan's statements that those arrested and kept in the police station are not being subjected to violation and torture.

Just a day later following Vahan Khalafyan's killing Chief of Police Alik Sargsyan said at a press conference that Khalafyan had not been subjected to violation or torture and that had committed suicide because of his "mental disorder."

Further when the Special Investigation Service arrested police officers from the Charentsavan Police Station over suspicion of involvement in Khalafyan's death, Alik Sargsyan made a public apology for disseminating false information.

"I do not think that the Chief of Police was not aware of what happened. There is an intention here: he attempted to hide the unlawfulness of the police officers," said he, adding that if he was not really aware of what happened, then he must not have stayed at his position more than a minute.