Civil Society Institute NGO issued a statement condemning the violence of the police against the participants of the car Rally near Berdzor on 31 January.

The CSI informed that the rally was planned for December 2014 but due to the latest development on NKR Azerbaijan border the NKR leadership informed the “Founding Parliament” about it and the rally postponed. In addition to the Police, civilians met the participants of the rally near Berdzor as well. Some of them were had covered their faces. As it is seen from the video provided by the NKR powers a large group of the citizens who were against the rally had gathered there.

The police and the civilians attacked the participants of the rally, broke the video cameras and the flags and applied disproportionate force against the people. Some people were injured and taken to the hospital. The attackers were damaging the cars of the participants as well. As it may be seen from the video the police were hitting and breaking the cars even after they had turned back. Obviously the police had exceeded their powers by using force. This is an act of violation of individuals’ rights and freedoms and is prohibited acts under the RA and the NKR Criminal Codes.

On the assumption of the aforesaid the CSI urges the RA and NKR Authorities to:

– Initiate criminal case on the mentioned facts and ensure effective investigation
– Detect and prosecute the perpetrators
– Ensure implementation of the right to freedom of assembly.

Iravaban.net