Gagik Khachatryan arrested in Armenia amid human rights concerns

The arrest of Gagik Khachatryan, the former chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee, has ignited intense debate regarding human rights and law enforcement methods. Khachatryan, 71, faces allegations of accepting large-scale bribes and money laundering. Following searches of his home and several linked companies, he was ordered to two months of pretrial detention.

Public outcry has centered on video footage showing National Security Service officers transferring Khachatryan from a bed to a stretcher during his arrest. His legal team and human rights defenders have condemned the procedure, arguing that his serious health condition makes him unable to move autonomously and that the manner of his transport was “equivalent to torture” and a violation of human dignity.

While defense lawyers claim his medical state requires specialized treatment abroad, Armenian authorities have expressed skepticism, suggesting the health concerns may be a tactic to evade justice. The Ombudsman’s office is currently reviewing the incident to determine if the dignity of the individual was violated.