Law enforcers’ rhetoric risks fair trial, ombudsman says

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan has voiced concern over tendencies by law enforcement bodies to violate the principle of presumption of innocence. The Ombudsman issued a statement based on monitoring of social media and media reports conducted by her office.

“Recent high-profile criminal cases show a trend of forming public perceptions about individuals’ guilt as fact, even in the absence of legally binding court rulings. This directly contradicts the principle of presumption of innocence,” the statement reads.

It stresses that, in order to preserve impartial public perception of judicial proceedings, law enforcement authorities must ensure proportional and responsible communication. This principle must be respected during all stages of criminal proceedings, regardless of the nature of the alleged crime or the suspect's behavior.

Law enforcement activity, the statement continues, must strictly adhere to the principles of independence, impartiality, and objectivity—and public communication should reinforce these values.

The Ombudsman also referred to her annual report, where she addressed in detail the challenges related to upholding the presumption of innocence and the format of informing the public.

She emphasized that her office will consistently monitor whether competent authorities comply with relevant standards.

On June 25, law enforcement began searches at the homes of Sacred Struggle movement supporters. The Investigative Committee claimed the group planned terrorist acts and a seizure of power in Armenia. The movement’s leader, Archbishop Bagrat, and 14 others have been arrested. On July 10, further arrests were made among ARF members.