“Red Berets” Agaist Human Rights

On the morning of May 27, in front of the office of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation party, during the protests, an argument took place between the officers of the special purpose battalion of the Yerevan Police Department (the “Red Berets”) and Ashot Simoyan, a member of parliament of the opposition bloc “Hayastan.” The argument escalated into physical retaliation: Around 30 police officers from the special purpose battalion suouned Simonyan and brutally beat him up, hitting and cursing from all sides3. Then, the MP, deprived of his freedom, was transferred to a police car.

❗️These actions, among other offenses, clearly demonstrate features of torture as defined by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

❗️Over the years, the unit’s behavior and impunity has led to their complete disregard for human rights. Under such circumstances, the “Red Berets” are not compatible with the policing of peaceful assemblies.

❗️Considering these circumstances, we demand to cease the involvement of the special purpose battalion of the Yerevan City Department of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the policing of peaceful assemblies.

See details in the full report.