Representatives of Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, acting on the instructions of Anahit Manasyan, visited Hovhannes Sahakyan, who was detained on June 7 at Zvartnots International Airport.

Earlier, it became known that Sahakyan, who had arrived in Armenia from Russia and stated that he intended to leave the country shortly after voting, had been detained.

The Ombudsman’s Office reported that, following an alert from Sahakyan’s lawyer, it was established that he had been detained within the framework of a criminal proceeding and transferred to a detention facility operated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where a private meeting was held with him.

Early on June 8, representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office visited the detention facility on the instructions of Anahit Manasyan, held a confidential meeting with Sahakyan, and discussed the issues he had raised.

According to the statement, several matters were resolved on site following the intervention of the Ombudsman’s institution.

“The information obtained from the alert received by the Defender’s Office and the data gathered regarding rights-related issues are currently being reviewed. Necessary clarifications concerning the circumstances of the case and the protection of the individual’s rights will be requested from the competent state authority. Issues relating to the protection of the rights of the person deprived of liberty remain under the attention of the Human Rights Defender,” the statement said.

According to the Investigative Committee, a criminal proceeding was initiated after a report alleging that Hovhannes Sahakyan, while allegedly being aware of a planned crime, failed to inform the competent Armenian authorities.

Earlier, in an interview with media outlets, Sahakyan said that he had arrived in Armenia from Russia with his family to participate in the elections and intended to return to Russia on the same day because of concerns about possible tensions following the vote.