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ARMENIA'S POLICE: NO REASON TO PROSECUTE FOOTBALL BOSS
EurasiaNet.org
July 11 2012
NY
Amidst a growing public outcry against cozy ties between Armenia's
government and business elite, Armenian police on Tuesday claimed
that Armenian Football Federation boss Ruben Hayrapetian was not at
his Yerevan restaurant Harsnakar when 33-year-old army doctor Vahe
Avetian met with a beating there on June 17 that cost him his life.
Criminal Investigations Inspectorate official Arsen Ayvavsian claimed
that Hayrapetian, who was interrogated last week, had arrived at the
restaurant a few hours before the violence broke out, and had stayed
only briefly.
The announcement will most likely only add further fuel to public
outrage at Avetian's June 29 death and the brutal beating of two
other army doctors with him, allegedly at the hands of Hayrapetian's
bodyguards.
As Global Voices Caucasus Editor Onnik Krikorian noted, "[s]uch
incidents are not uncommon in Armenia . . . but the latest example
comes as the power of the oligarchs in the economically challenged
republic is under increasing scrutiny . . ."
Rights activists, opposition groups and many ordinary Armenians
contend that Hayrapetian is criminally responsible for the death
and beatings and should be held account. Charging that a cover-up
is underway, they have petitioned embassies in Yerevan to reject any
visa application received from the businessman, who has interests in
a variety of economic sectors.
For now, though, the betting odds are low among some bloggers that
either Hayrapetian or any of the restaurant employees detained in
connection with the investigation will be held responsible for the
doctor's death.
Hayrapetian on July 3 resigned from his seat in parliament for the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia after a discussion with party boss
President Serzh Sargsyan, a onetime defense minister with, arguably,
a keen grasp of the military mood about Avetian's death. Hayrapetian
cited his sense of "moral responsibility" as the reason for his
resignation.
One parliamentarian from the opposition Armenian National Congress
dismissed the comments as "crocodile tears," Tert.am reported.
Sargsyan has appeared to be trying to placate critics -- in the
run-up to Armenia's February 2013 elections, public protests about
a government pal are not desirable -- but that, apparently, does
not stretch to the extent of tolerating street gatherings outside
Hayrapetian's restaurant.
On July 8, police clashed with individuals who planned to hold a
candlelight vigil for Avetian at the restaurant. Don't expect such
incidents to cause caution to gain ground over anger, however. As the
Footprints blog, duly cited by Global Voices, pointed out: "A great
number of people are starting to rise from their long slumber."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
EurasiaNet.org
July 11 2012
NY
Amidst a growing public outcry against cozy ties between Armenia's
government and business elite, Armenian police on Tuesday claimed
that Armenian Football Federation boss Ruben Hayrapetian was not at
his Yerevan restaurant Harsnakar when 33-year-old army doctor Vahe
Avetian met with a beating there on June 17 that cost him his life.
Criminal Investigations Inspectorate official Arsen Ayvavsian claimed
that Hayrapetian, who was interrogated last week, had arrived at the
restaurant a few hours before the violence broke out, and had stayed
only briefly.
The announcement will most likely only add further fuel to public
outrage at Avetian's June 29 death and the brutal beating of two
other army doctors with him, allegedly at the hands of Hayrapetian's
bodyguards.
As Global Voices Caucasus Editor Onnik Krikorian noted, "[s]uch
incidents are not uncommon in Armenia . . . but the latest example
comes as the power of the oligarchs in the economically challenged
republic is under increasing scrutiny . . ."
Rights activists, opposition groups and many ordinary Armenians
contend that Hayrapetian is criminally responsible for the death
and beatings and should be held account. Charging that a cover-up
is underway, they have petitioned embassies in Yerevan to reject any
visa application received from the businessman, who has interests in
a variety of economic sectors.
For now, though, the betting odds are low among some bloggers that
either Hayrapetian or any of the restaurant employees detained in
connection with the investigation will be held responsible for the
doctor's death.
Hayrapetian on July 3 resigned from his seat in parliament for the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia after a discussion with party boss
President Serzh Sargsyan, a onetime defense minister with, arguably,
a keen grasp of the military mood about Avetian's death. Hayrapetian
cited his sense of "moral responsibility" as the reason for his
resignation.
One parliamentarian from the opposition Armenian National Congress
dismissed the comments as "crocodile tears," Tert.am reported.
Sargsyan has appeared to be trying to placate critics -- in the
run-up to Armenia's February 2013 elections, public protests about
a government pal are not desirable -- but that, apparently, does
not stretch to the extent of tolerating street gatherings outside
Hayrapetian's restaurant.
On July 8, police clashed with individuals who planned to hold a
candlelight vigil for Avetian at the restaurant. Don't expect such
incidents to cause caution to gain ground over anger, however. As the
Footprints blog, duly cited by Global Voices, pointed out: "A great
number of people are starting to rise from their long slumber."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress