The European Court of Human Rights took a new decision against the Republic of Armenia: on “Zalyan and others v. Armenia” Case, ECHR declared that Articles 3 and 5 of European Convention which provide excluding inhuman or degrading treatment and the right to liberty were violated.
According to the materials of the case the persons who filed a claim in this case were drafted to Armenian army and served in one of the military unites near Mataghis village.
In 2004, a criminal case was initiated in Martakert, on occasion of two soldiers’ death. Their fellow soldiers Zalyan, Sargsyan and Serobyan were involved as defendants in this case. The claimants stated in their application that they were subjected to inhuman and cruel treatment by the law enforcement agencies for gaining self-confessions.
In 2005, Zalyan, Sargsyan and Serobyan were sentenced to 15 years in prison. In 2006, the Cassation Court reviewed the decision of the First Instance Court and sentenced them to life imprisonment. In December of the same year the Cassation Court turns down the decision and sent it to the new investigation. In 2012, Zalyan, Sargsyan and Serobyan were justified.
After ECHR decision entered into legal force Republic of Armenia is obliged to pay 20 thousand EUROs to Araik Zalyan and 15 thousand EUROs to Sargsyan and Serobyan as a moral compensation. On the whole Armenia will pay 50 thousand EUROs.
