Amnesty International again criticized the Armenian police

The authority notes that police reforms, including a new law passed in 2024 aimed at improving policing during rallies, have failed to alleviate concerns about the use of disproportionate force during demonstrations and a lack of police accountability. “This was particularly evident in the human rights violations recorded during the anti-government protests in May and June 2024,” writes Amnesty International, referring to the clashes between the “Grey for the Motherland” movement and the police. “Despite sufficient evidence of unlawful use of force by the police, criminal proceedings were subsequently opened only against the protesters, a total of 16 people, and no police officers were held accountable,” Amnesty International wrote in a report released today.

The organization also referred to the arrest of Samvel Karapetyan, hinting that it had something to do with the relations between Yerevan and Moscow. “Armenia’s shift toward the West in foreign policy and efforts to reduce traditional ties to Russia have become politically divisive, fueling disinformation campaigns and hate speech across the country. In June, the authorities announced that they had prevented a coup attempt by arresting an influential businessman with ties to Russia,” the report said.