VIDEO. "There are two important components". The Ombudsman's remarks on Gayane Hakobyan's detention

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia and the Ombudsman personally are closely monitoring the case of Gayane Hakobyan, who is suspected of attempting to kidnap the Prime Minister's son and was detained for one month. This was stated today during a conversation with journalists after the Cabinet meeting by Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan.

"I do not have information regarding the lawyers’ withdrawal from the defense and cannot convey anything. We have kept this case continually in the spotlight. Representatives of the office and I have visited Ms. Hakobyan," she noted.

According to the Ombudsman, thanks to the visits of the office representatives and herself, the conditions of Gayane Hakobyan's detention in the Abovyan penitentiary have been addressed. "These pertain to issues related to cell conditions. Since there have been private conversations, I do not have the citizen's consent, so I cannot specify what exact issues arose. Our penitentiaries, as we all know, need improvement to meet standards. They must correspond to international standards," she emphasized.

Manasyan pointed out that the issue consists of two important components, both legal and humanitarian. According to her, hate speech is also propagated within the context of this case, which is unacceptable, and everyone should exclude it and counter this hate speech.

When asked whether the Human Rights Defender will approach the Prosecutor General to change the measure of restraint for the woman, Manasyan stated, "I have tried to communicate correctly with state legal systems within the framework of my available tools. I have presented the concerns of the mentioned individuals to the Prosecutor's Office and provided them with legal formulations."