Lawyers 'gift' boxing gloves to head of Yerevan Central Police Station

A group of lawyers staged a protest in Yerevan on Monday demanding an end to police violence and punishment for the officers accused of ill-treatment.

They marched from the Chamber of Advocates to the Central Police Station in Yerevan, where lawyer Karen Alaverdyan was beaten up by police officers on June 7. The lawyer claimed he was assaulted and detained while trying to stop officers from kicking and punching his client at the police station.

The advocates announced a strike on June 26 observed as the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The protesters brought a pair of boxing gloves as a “gift” to the Central Police Station head, Arman Papyan.

Advocate Ara Zohrabyan claimed the demonstration was against those officers who abuse their power and use force against people, rather than the law enforcement system.

“If the police don’t respond harshly to the incident, it will basically take full responsibility for it,” he stressed, at the same time thanking the officers for escorting the march and ensuring their safety.