YEREVAN. - The Human Rights Defender of Armenia has expressed his position on the cases under investigation in preliminary investigation authorities.

“Criminal cases have been opened into the events which took place in Yerevan on July 17-31 in different preliminary investigation authorities. They are [currently being] investigated.  With this respect, we reconfirm our position that comprehensive, complete and objective investigation should be ensured for those cases and in conditions of maximal transparency and accountability. In fact, this should be done so that the reasonable foreseeability towards the results of those proceedings can be ensured. Only the proceedings which were implemented based on the mentioned principles can ensure effectiveness and public confidence towards those cases.

With this respect, considering the great public interest towards the criminal case related to the armed group, we attach importance to transferring the investigation of this case to the Special Investigation Service through the mediation of the National Security Service (NSS) in order to ensure impartial and comprehensive investigation and disperse suspicions related thereto.

The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia will in the framework of its authorities manifest necessary consistency in the implementation of the mentioned standards of effective investigation,” reads the statement issued by the Office of the Human Rights Defender.