The Office of the Human Rights Defender has launched a proprio motu inquiry following a video circulating online showing masked individuals transporting Gagik Khachatryan to court on a stretcher, and has already visited the penal institution to hold a private meeting with him and clarify all circumstances concerning the protection of his rights.
Upon the Defender's instruction, written clarifications have also been requested from the competent authorities, which will further help establish all details of the incident.
Only after a thorough examination of the results of the visit, the responses received, and all other relevant facts in the case will the Office of the Human Rights Defender be able to publish its official position, while remaining information will be provided additionally, as stated in the message from the Defender's Office.
It should be noted that this video had appeared online the previous day and drew widespread reactions, as it showed officers of the National Security Service taking Khachatryan from his bed and transporting him to court on a stretcher.
In this case, what matters is not only the content of the video but also the speed with which the Office of the Human Rights Defender responded. Launching a proprio motu inquiry demonstrates that this matter is under special scrutiny, as it concerns the physical condition of a detained person and the treatment afforded to him, which is always a sensitive issue for the public.
It remains to await the official conclusion, which should dispel all doubts and answer the main question: whether these actions complied with legal requirements and human rights standards. It will be particularly interesting to determine what Khachatryan's health condition was at the time of the transfer and on what basis that decision was made.
