Governor Hunan Poghosyan Meets With Protesters Gathered in Front of Police Station in Kapan

Hunan Poghosyan arrived in Kapan, where for several hours, brave Kajaran residents gathered in front of the police station demanding the release of their arrested compatriots, claiming they were subjected to violence while in police custody. Poghosyan attempted to convince the residents to trust the investigation, assuring them that following a service investigation regarding the use of violence against the detained, the guilty parties would be punished. He called for calm and urged the protesters to end their demonstrations.

One of the protesters was upset by his remarks, saying, "We have rejected people like you, and we will definitely reject you. We want you to protect us, but you are here trying to convince us instead of defending us."

The governor suggested that about 15 relatives enter the building with him to discuss and understand the situation. He urged the gathered individuals not to let others manipulate them, stating, "There are people who are relishing the chaos of this situation."

Kajaran Mayor Manvel Paramazyan also joined the meeting with the protesters, expressing his discontent, particularly regarding the abuse of a youth in police custody.

Earlier, those gathered in front of the Kapan police station were demanding that Syunik Governor Hunan Poghosyan come to clarify the information they had received. Reports indicated that a tense situation had developed in Kapan on May 24, with numerous Kajaran residents gathered demanding that their detained compatriots not be transferred to Yerevan and be released instead. According to information from relatives gathered in front of the building, the detainees had been beaten by the police. The police denied allegations of violence.

It is noted that three individuals were detained; one person, Nver Khachatryan, was mistakenly detained and subsequently released. There are signs of violence on his body. The gathered individuals demanded that those arrested not be transferred to the capital, fearing they would face even harsher treatment there.

Video credit: Нвер Зеля's Facebook page.