Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The Armenian police once again used force against the mothers of the soldiers killed in non-combat operations in the army.

Armenian media has reported that a clash took place between police officers and the protesting parents of the dead soldiers in front of the presidential palace in Yerevan on June 11.

The confrontation erupted when protesters attempted to approach the gates of the presidential palace. Law enforcement officers told the parents of soldiers that they have no right to conduct demonstrations at that location.

The protesters insisted on meeting with the president. They demanded that law enforcement agencies conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the murders of their sons and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile a representative of Armenian Ombudsman's office arrived at the scene to calm the angry crowd, but her efforts were unsuccessful.

The protesters broke through into the building, after which the police forcefully "threw" the protesters on to the other side of the road.

This is not the first case when the Armenian police have used force against the parents of soldiers, who had died in a time of peace.

The parents of the soldiers have repeatedly protested in Yerevan, demanding that their children’s rights be respected and their sacrifices honored.

Rather than honor the dead, the state has systematically proven vicious in its approach, as protesters have faced a brutal police crackdowns every time they attempted to protest. During a similar demonstration at the gate of the presidential palace in mid-May, Armenian police forcibly dispersed protesters by shoving and striking the angry mothers.

Armenian authorities, however, have yet to condemn such behavior, and have justified these actions as adequate measures.

In addition, the Armenian police have used force against the citizens supporting soldiers’ parents. During a protest in early June, the Armenian police arrested citizens supporting the parents of the dead soldiers.

The increasing number of soldier deaths has naturally triggered public outrage and angered the families of the deceased conscripts.

Poor relation between soldiers and officers in the Armenian army has become the driving factor behind servicemen's deaths in non-combat conditions. The officers' humiliating treatment of soldiers has often resulted in armed incidents that ultimately claim the lives of servicemen.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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