Clashes with police lead to dozens of injuries

Yerevan, May 13, 2024 In Yerevan the day before, during another anti-government protest, a tense situation developed when the police tried to disperse the gathered demonstrators. According to eyewitnesses, at this time police officers used force on a number of citizens, among whom was also the puppet theater actress Dustrik Khachatryan. This time she also participated in an action with ironic dolls in the form of political instruments, which attracted the attention of the police and was subjected to violence. The actress told reporters that the police pulled her and beat her. In a conversation with our correspondent, the actress noted that her participation in the protests is also connected with her personal history. “I want to show the real face of our government, which uses the law enforcement system in its own interests and gives its close people a privileged status,” Khachatryan noted. According to her, her husband witnessed a serious crime many years ago, but after that it was he who became the target of persecution and was unfairly sentenced to imprisonment, while the real criminal went unpunished. “My husband was not convicted in a fair trial, but because the system in this country is corrupt and unfair. When he tried to tell the truth, he was silenced instead,” she told reporters, adding that now the same law enforcement system is trying to pressure her into silence. According to human rights activists, the use of force during protests raises concerns and requires thorough investigation, especially in cases where peaceful demonstrators are harmed.