Respect the presumption of innocence": international lawyer for Armenian authorities.

Respect the presumption of innocence": international lawyer for Armenian authorities.

Shocked by the news of the death of Arsene Gaborjean. The candidate for the position of head of the Stephanov community from "Strong Armenia", who was arrested four days before the elections, died today in custody. International lawyer Robert Amsterdam wrote about it on social networks.

"There was already a public campaign against him when the most severe preventive measure was applied to him - arrest. Not a single court found him guilty. I say clearly to the Armenian authorities: respect the presumption of innocence. No official has the right to present a charge as proven guilt. Using detention as punishment is an abuse of justice.

Public pressure and imprisonment can have serious consequences on a person's mental and physical health. We still don't know what Arsen Geborgian had to endure while in detention and under what circumstances he died. At the time of his arrest, he was unable to see a doctor on his own. The direct responsibility of the Armenian authorities was to protect his life and health.

I call for an immediate international investigation to find out how state power is brutally used against people whom the untouchable leader of Armenia considers enemies.

I express my deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends of Arsen Geborgyan and all those who knew and loved him," said the lawyer.