Helsinki Association Human Rights Defender NGO condemns the recent clash between the Arman Veziryan, an observer of the Association, and Ruben Hayrapetyan, President of the Armenian Football Federation and an MP of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK).
According to reports, on July 8, Hayrapetyan hit Veziryan in the face while the latter was monitoring the "freedom of peaceful rallies" in Armenia.
"We view the incident as an act against human rights activities. It is not the first time that a representative of Helsinki Association has been subjected to violence while performing his activities but every time the incident has been either concealed or neglected by law enforcement agencies," the Association said in a statement.
"Such incidents are the result of wrong policies pursued by the country's authorities who have failed to properly assess the previous incidents although the country's president has confirmed by his numerous decrees the need to amend the legal system.
"The Association is waiting for the authorities' response to commence proceedings [based on press reports] in accordance with Article 176 of the RA Criminal Code," reads the statement.
P.S. while the Association was preparing to send an announcement to media outlets, Ruben Hayrapetyan telephoned Arman Veziryan to apologize for his behaviour.
