“Vahan Khalafyan was murdered”
After the trial of the case brought up for the death of 24-year old Vahan Khalafyan, advocate Artur Sakunts still claims that "the murder of Vahan Khalafyan took place at the police division".
Let us remind that on April 13, Vahan Khalafyan was suspected of theft, taken to the Charentsavan police division and released dead. According to the official version, Vahan Khalafyan killed himself with a knife after being subject to assaults at the police division.
Out of the 4 accused police officers, Ashot Harutyunyan was sentenced to 8 years and Mores Hayrapetyan was sentenced to 2 years of conditional imprisonment. The court reached a verdict of acquittal for Garik Davtyan and Gagik Ghazaryan.
According to Artur Sakunts, the main culprit Ashot Harutyunyan was only a scapegoat. "During the examination, Ashot Harutyunyan announced that he was not at the scene at the moment, but he saw a knife in Mores Hayrapetyan's hand when he entered the room. The court did not implement an examination of Harutyunyan's testimonies."
Why didn't Ashot Harutyunyan speak more clearly during the trial, if, as you say he has nothing to do with Khalafyan's suicide or his murder? In response, the advocate said: "Harutyunyan refused to release the name of the real murderer since he has no guarantee for his security. He knows very well that he is powerless in a country where the real culprit is sponsored by the preliminary inquiry body, the prosecutor's office and the National Security Service.
The advocate claims that the preliminary investigation was held through concealing in the beginning. "The two important victims present at the scene were sent out of the country. After the incident, I spoke to eyewitnesses Norayr and Ararat who were also arrested and assaulted. One of them told me that it all started when deputy head of the operation department of the Charentsavan police headquarters Samvel Tonoyan came. Samvel Tonoyan and Mores Hayrapetyan are sponsored and that is why the murder of Vahan Khalafyan was not revealed."
What do you have to say about the fact that the prosecutor's office is also unsatisfied with the verdict reached by the court of Kotayk province and is preparing to file an appeal? In response, Sakunts said: "That is just a show." He is certain that this case will reach the European Court of Human Rights and Armenia will be defeated."
