“Disproportionate physical force was used”: RA ombudsperson visits Gagik Tsarukyan

Anahit Manasyan, Ombudsperson of the Republic of Armenia, commented on the detention of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, noting that disproportionate physical force had been used against him.

“A video related to the case was later circulated, capturing the moment the individual was effectively deprived of his liberty. This raised concerns about the use of disproportionate physical force against him, since he had initially offered no resistance, and the handcuffs used were too small for his wrists.

On the instructions of the Human Rights Defender, representatives of the Ombudsperson’s Office visited the ‘Yerevan-Kentron’ penitentiary institution of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia on July 8, 2026, in order to meet with Gagik Tsarukyan and assess the state of his rights on site. During the visit, a personal conversation was held with him, relevant documents were reviewed, and other matters were discussed concerning his state of health, conditions of detention, and the protection of his rights. The content of the personal conversation is confidential and will not be disclosed,” she noted.