Speaking after the government session, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan explained that regarding the Merdzavan murder case, she cannot yet issue any public statement, as her office is still registering and assessing the issues presented.
“At this stage I cannot speak about violations, since we must first identify and record the problems, then make them public,” she said, according to Sputnik Armenia.
Asked whether the Ombudsman had responsibilities given that tensions in Merdzavan had been visible for some time, Manasyan clarified that the Ombudsman’s mandate does not extend to crime prevention. According to her, the role of the Ombudsman concerns the protection of individuals’ rights within ongoing criminal proceedings.
“As for the protection of any individual during a criminal case, naturally, in all situations when we receive an application, we also request clarifications from the competent authorities. Work on this case is still in progress, as all these public announcements are very recent,” she noted.
Manasyan added that she would later speak on the case within the scope of her powers, stressing the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence and legal principles.
“It is particularly important not to make unnecessary statements and to conduct public communication in a more accurate manner,” the Ombudswoman concluded.
On September 23, in Merdzavan, a masked man opened fire, killing Parakar community head Volodya Grigoryan and police operative Karen Abrahamyan, and wounding Artsrun Galstyan. On September 26, Narek Ohanyan was arrested in connection with the case, and on September 28, a second suspect, who confessed to the murder, was detained. The firearm was also recovered.
