Opposition activists call on police to publicize records of Kentron police cameras

Young opposition activists, who had been arrested on November 9 following skirmishes with police officers during a rally organized by opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), are calling on the police to publicize the records of the video cameras installed in the reception of the Kentron (Centre) police station.

All four are HAK activists and all were released on the same day: Sargis Gevorgyan, Areg Gevorgyan, Sargis Ghazaryan and Vahagn, Gevorgyan.

Talking to Tert.am, Areg Gevorgyan said that the police now attempt to deny their statements and insist that they were not beaten in the police reception. But publicizing the video records will make it clear what really happened there, according to him.

"Any video camera, even the one that is of worst quality, keeps the records of the recent 10-15 days," said Areg Gevorgyan, once again adding that they were beaten in the police station.

Earlier they had told to RFE/RL Armenian service that one of the policemen had even told them that they would be treated like Vahan Kalafyan - a resident of Charentsavan town who had been taken to the police on theft charges and, according to the official version, stabbed himself to death at the police station the same day.

Khalafyan's relatives say he could not have committed suicide and was rather killed by the policemen.

Further Areg Gevorgyan said that the police are doing nothing over their cases.

"They have not sent any notifications, nothing," said he, adding that the case is kind of frozen. The police have not yet returned their cell phones, wallets and belts, he added.

Following the day of their arrest the HAK sent a notification to Armenia's Prosecutor General, saying that the policeman had hampered the non-massive but sanctioned rally, went beyond their responsibilities, disallowed the young activists to have a lawyer after taking them to the police and beaten them.

The Prosecutor General's Office has not responded to that notification yet, Areg Gevorgyan added.