Open letter to the head of the RA Special Investigation Service

To the head of RA Special Investigation Service
Andranik Mirzoyan
  Copy to the RA Prosecutor General
Aghvan Hovsepyan

Open Letter
22.07.2008
  Dear Mr. Mirzoyan,
  On May 12, 2007 Levon Gulyan was called to the Shengavit district Police Department to testify as a witness, later he was taken to the RA Police Headquarter. According to the Police, witness Levon Gulyan died while trying to escape from the room he was being kept in by jumping from the third floor window. However, the Gulyan family believes that his death was a consequence of torture and cruel treatment by the police. The names of a number high positioned Police officers are discussed in regards to this case. The investigation of the case of the Levon Gulyan’s death was procrastinated and lasted one year. The case received wide feedback from the public. The case was at first investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office, then by the Special Investigation Service. On March 12, 2008 it was ceased “for lack of evidence of crime”. On March 26, 2008, the Prosecutor’s Office declined the Gulyan family appeal to restart the investigation. On June 6, 2008, the RA Kentron and Nork Marash Court issued a verdict to restart the investigation of Gulyan’s case.
  The Court of Common Jurisdiction issued a 26-page decree containing 17 points with indications on serious violations and shortcomings of the investigation.
  The investigation has not discovered Levon Gulyan’s death circumstances, and also has not examined the fact of illegal deprivation of liberty and mistreatment towards him and other witnesses (Hayk Melkumyan and Marine Grigoryan), which was a gross violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
  July 21, 2008 RA Court of Appeal (judge Manoushak Petrosyan) did not change the verdict of the RA Kentron and Nork Marash Court of Common Jurisdiction and refused the appeal of the Prosecutor’s Office.
  We follow the case from the very day of Levon Gulyan’s death and demand that the RA Special Investigation Service conduct impartial and objective investigation within reasonable terms and reveal this crime, as a result of which those guilty will receive proper punishment.
  Artak Kirakosyan,
Civil Society Institute NGO
  Artur Sakunts,
Armenian Helsinki Committee, Vanadzor NGO
  Avetik Ishkhanyan,
Helsinki Committee of Armenia NGO
  Michael Aramyan,
Against Violation of Law NGO
  Michael Baghdasaryan,
Collaboration for Democracy Centre NGO