Police Brutally Beat Artist with Health Issues, Lawyer Reports

Police have brutally beaten artist and sculptor Edward Vaneskehyan, who has health problems, at the police station before detaining him days later. This was reported to News.am by his attorney, Edward Hovhannisyan.

Hovhannisyan recounted that a nightclub had recently opened near the artist's home, and upon returning home that day, they saw that neighbors had called the police, leading to the arrival of patrols and officers.

“The couple see that there is already a car in their parking lot, and they signal for it to be removed with sound and light signals. A person who had come out of the nightclub and was under the influence of alcohol approaches them and gets into an argument with Vaneskehyan. One of the patrol officers approaches to calm the situation. After the officer leaves, one of the arguers provokes another, and the police come back, urging them to end the dispute, but the situation does not calm down. The senior officer instructs both parties to be taken in. At that moment, Vaneskehyan's wife and their 15-year-old daughter, who had come downstairs after hearing the commotion, intervene and plead with the police not to detain him. At this point, one of the patrol officers pushes the wife, and Vaneskehyan swears, leading to a scuffle, and he is taken away in handcuffs,” Hovhannisyan said.

The attorney noted that Vaneskehyan has spinal issues, walks with a cane, and needs hip surgery. According to the attorney, while at the police station, the artist requested that the handcuffs be loosened. “The police did not respond, and he began to express his dissatisfaction loudly; the police threw him to the ground, covered his head with his clothing, and began to brutally beat him, primarily striking him in the head. As a result of the beating, both of his eardrums were ruptured, he suffered a severe concussion, and there were injuries around his eyes. After the beating, he was arrested,” Hovhannisyan added.

Following a forensic examination, Vaneskehyan was transferred to the hospital and received treatment until December 5. Immediately after being discharged from the hospital, he was detained. According to the attorney, two proceedings have been initiated regarding the incident. Vaneskehyan is accused of using violence against police officers, while the defense has filed a complaint regarding torture.

“Their case has been built exclusively on the testimonies of police officers, which is unacceptable according to numerous precedents of the European Court. There is no other evidence in this case. Moreover, nothing has been done regarding the torture aspect; the investigator has not even questioned Vaneskehyan about it,” the attorney concluded.