Former MP faces hate speech-related charges

PanARMENIAN.Net - A criminal case has been initiated against former National Assembly deputy Ruben Hakobyan under provisions related to hate speech. A motion has been submitted to the court seeking the application of administrative supervision as a preventive measure, according to Panorama.am .

According to the Investigative Committee, evidence has allegedly been obtained indicating that Hakobyan, through the use of information and communication technologies, made statements aimed at inciting and promoting hatred, discrimination, intolerance and hostility. Investigators said these conclusions were supported by an expert assessment.

The Investigative Committee reported that, by decision of the supervising prosecutor, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against R.H. under Article 329, Part 2, Point 3 of the Criminal Code (public speech aimed at inciting or promoting hatred, discrimination, intolerance or hostility, as well as the dissemination of materials or objects for that purpose), involving three separate counts.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing.

Hakobyan’s son, Samvel Hakobyan, a former member of the Mother Armenia faction in the Yerevan City Council, published a video statement, saying:

“They have once again invented and stitched together a new case against my father. They have opened some new criminal case over political interviews and statements he made.

My father is neither a criminal nor corrupt, and there are no criminals in our family. Yet at this moment, there are probably five or six different legal cases against my family. We see how administrative resources are being wasted and how law enforcement bodies are being used for repression. We live in a country where there are many crimes and illegal acts, but they are not being pursued — only opposition figures are being targeted,” he said.

Earlier on June 19, the former Dashnaktsutyun lawmaker wrote on Facebook that authorities had come to detain him.

Separately, Ruslan Barseghyan, representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Aragatsotn regional committee, has been remanded in custody for two months. The information was announced by ARF member Gerasim Vardanyan.

“With false and fabricated accusations, Ruslan Barseghyan, representative of the ARF Aragatsotn regional committee, has been placed in custody for two months. It is obvious that this is another manifestation of the criminal-political terror prevailing in our country, and naturally such actions are directed against people with national values and principles.

Nowadays, passing through prison has become not evidence of a crime, but a sign of honor and steadfastness. I see no need to urge any Dashnaktsutyun member to remain strong in prison or on the battlefield, because that is part of their nature. We simply must remember that all of this will one day pass, and nothing will be forgotten,” he wrote.

Criminal proceedings against Ruben Hakobyan had already been initiated last year based on statements made during one of his interviews. The Investigative Committee charged him under provisions concerning a public call aimed at the seizure of power.