Paralyzed Soldier: Hovhannisyan Diagnoses Condition as Simulation, Says J. Aleksanyan

Human rights defender Zhanna Aleksanyan wrote on her Facebook page:

"Yuriy Broyan, an ethnic Yezidi soldier, is in a state of helplessness. He needs urgent medical assistance and should be immediately transferred to a civilian hospital, however, he continues to be held in military police custody.

The soldier is paralyzed, unable to speak, and his head is shaking. He is under severe psychological stress. He was drafted with a diagnosis of 'mild intellectual disability'. Following his enlistment, he was subjected to violence by his commander. A criminal case has been initiated. The soldier has the status of a victim.

However, the Ministry of Defense spokesperson Arzarun Hovhannisyan, allegedly with the minister's knowledge, has categorized the soldier's condition as simulation and even issued a special statement emphasizing that such soldiers tarnish the name of the Armenian army. Just one day ago, our lawyer visited the soldier, and the condition of the soldier was so severe that she alerted the rapid response group of the Ombudsman for medical assistance.

Yuriy Broyan was taken to Muratsan Hospital, then to Kanaz, and subsequently returned to the military police. The soldier's life is in danger, and in the event that something happens to him, all responsibility lies with specific officials in the Ministry of Defense who, being aware of the soldier's condition, continue to pursue him and take no measures regarding his health situation.

I believe that the spokesperson's statement from the Ministry of Defense is simply an indication of such treatment towards the soldier."