The US Embassy in Armenia recently presented the “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia” in a briefing attended by lawyers. During the briefing, the embassy’s statement focused on the issue of justice violations, as confirmed by lawyers Marat Avakian and Emanuel Ananyan.

One instance highlighted in the briefing occurred on February 10, where lawyers provided legal assistance to their minor clients who had been physically injured by supporters of justice in the Yerevan court. These individuals were beaten by dissatisfied parties who were unhappy with the peaceful conduct of the clients during the court hearing. It was reported that, in response to provocation from frustrated clients, one of the supporters of justice went to extreme measures.

The Legal Committee of Congress has recently inquired about violations of lawyers’ rights. Employees of justice have claimed that lawyers engaged in unacceptable behavior and utilized offensive and physical violence against them during a recent protest held in the Central Park of Justice in Yerevan, as well as in Opera Square. However, upon the replacement of the presiding judge with a new one, the trial was restarted on April 10, when it was nearly completed. As a result, all three defendants were released after appealing to the court of cassation.

This statement from the US Embassy sheds light on concerning developments regarding human rights practices in Armenia.