Recent detentions and high-profile cases have once again brought issues of human rights and justice to the forefront. Zhanna Aleksanyan, head of the NGO “Journalists for Human Rights,” believes that what is happening reflects not only legal concerns but a broader systemic problem.
Commenting on the detention of representatives of the “Strong Armenia” party, she emphasized that the most alarming aspect is not the accusations themselves, but the procedures surrounding them. “The most striking issue was that lawyers were not allowed access to their clients and were not informed where the detainees had been taken. This effectively deprives people of their right to defense,” Aleksanyan stressed.
According to her, such practices contradict the authorities’ statements about justice. “Just yesterday they spoke about justice and past violations, yet today the same or even worse actions are taking place. If there is evidence of guilt, why obstruct the work of defense lawyers?” she asked.
Aleksanyan also questioned the credibility of repeated cases involving allegations of vote-buying, noting that courts have already dismissed similar charges in the past. “If you have evidence, present it in court. Why interfere with the defense?” she said.
Addressing the case of Gohar Ghumashyan, she highlighted concerns over violations of the presumption of innocence. According to her, authorities attempt to convince the public of guilt by publishing audio recordings and presenting them as final proof. “Publishing a recording does not mean the accusation is proven. The other side must also be heard,” she noted.
At the same time, Aleksanyan criticized attempts to divert public attention away from the core issue. “They want society to be guided not by law, but by their own will,” she stated.
In her assessment, authorities are systematically undermining the presumption of innocence, particularly in high-profile cases. The issue, she argues, is not limited to individual incidents but reflects a broader environment in which the rule of law is being weakened.
“When a person has a newborn child and is held for hours without clear legal grounds, how can this be considered normal?” Aleksanyan said.
She believes that society must demand adherence to the law; otherwise, such practices may deepen. “I am not saying whether someone is guilty or not. I am saying — follow the law. That is the whole issue,” she concluded.