Video: Investigation Authority Continues to Deprive Person of Liberty Without Criminal Offense or Any Justified Evidence

168.am reports: “In one of our previous articles, titled 'Is a Criminal Case Being Fabricated Based on 'False Testimony' in New Armenia?', we addressed the criminal case against Smbat Avdalyan and Armenian bodybuilding champion Vahram Hakobyan, where the defense claimed that their right to self-defense is not being ensured and requests to organize a confrontation are being denied.

About a month after holding Smbat Avdalyan in custody and Vahram Hakobyan in hiding, the investigation authority nevertheless organized a confrontation between Smbat Avdalyan and the brothers of the prosecution side, during which the claims of the prosecution side were not substantiated.

According to the media, a confrontation has also recently been conducted between Smbat Avdalyan and the prosecution representative Vaghinak Ghazaryan, during which the sole basis for Smbat Avdalyan’s detention and Vahram Hakobyan’s hiding has also not been proven.

Moreover, according to our information, during the confrontation, the prosecution side expressed indignation and, tearing up their testimony, stated that the whole thing was 'a product of their imagination.'

Despite the fact that the only testimony underpinning the case has been refuted, indicating there is no criminal offense, the investigation authority continues to keep Smbat Avdalyan in custody and Vahram Hakobyan in hiding.

So what seems to be the case? Initially, the investigation authority did not conduct a confrontation, thus violating the defense's right to execute self-defense actions, and now, after the confrontation with all witnesses, particularly the prosecution side has resulted in the sole alleged basis vanishing, Smbat Avdalyan remains in custody while renowned athlete Vahram Hakobyan is still in hiding.

These issues have also been discussed with defense attorney Erik Aleksanyan to learn his professional opinion. For more details, click here.