The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: info@nci.am
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June 8, 2007

NCI Addresses the Death of Levon Gulian

Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a public
hearing to examine the criminal investigation launched into the mysterious
death of Levon Gulian, a 31-year old Armenian citizen. A witness concerning
a murder case, Gulian died on May 12 when he was thrown out a window at
police precincts. The meeting brought together Gulian’s relatives, social
and political activists, human rights groups, state authorities,
representatives of international organizations, MPs, and media
representatives.

NCI founder and newly elected MP Raffi K. Hovannisian first expressed his
condolences to–and affirmed his solidarity with–the family of Levon
Gulian. Hovannisian then welcomed the audience with opening remarks.
"Armenia cannot demand justice from the world when it does not respect its
own citizens’ God-given right to life," he said. Hovannisian reserved
contempt not merely for the murderers of Levon Gulian, but for the demeanor
of the authorities, who failed to respond to the incidence in proper
measure.

In her intervention, the victim’s widow Jemma Gulian briefly spoke about the
conduct of law enforcement prior to and following her husband’s death. She
denied allegations that her husband either committed suicide or died in an
attempt to escape from the police precinct. "Levon loved his family,
children, and work so much," she maintained. "So loving in life and
concerned about his country’s progress, he could not, all of a sudden, have
decided to take his own life. If his intention was to evade the law, he
would not have appeared at numerous prior questionings on his own volition."

In their turn, Hrair Ghukasian and Aram Karakhanian–the legal
representatives of Levon Gulian’s family–expressed reservations about the
criminal investigation as it concerns Gulian’s legal heirs. "The medical
examination was inconclusive and based on just one piece of evidence," they
stated. "Moreover, though the examination was presented as the result of a
joint effort between local authorities and independent international
experts, the conclusions of the latter were not received." The attorneys
were concerned that, in an attempt to cover up the crime, authorities would
drop the investigation.

The next speaker, Karen Hakobian, chairman of the "Huis" NGO, emphasized
that a fair settlement of this affair was of vital importance for the
public. He called upon his fellow citizens to demand justice in this
case–both for the victim and the perpetrators. Impunity, Hakobian
maintained, breeds new crimes. "The only road remaining under these
conditions is the continued pressure of international bodies, the joint and
dedicated effort of NGOs, and close collaboration with the attorneys and the
journalists who are covering this issue," he concluded.

The remainder of the session was dedicated to exchanges of views and
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were interventions by Armenia’s first Ombudswoman and
Heritage Party MP Larisa Alaverdian; former defense attorney and also
Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjian; independent journalist and Armenian
Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) associate expert on
human rights Zhanna Aleksanian; ACNIS director of administration Karapet
Kalenchian; chairman Mikael Danielian of the Armenian Helsinki Association;
Gohar Armenakian of the Soldier’s Protection Committee; social activist
Arsen Khachatrian; Artak Kirakosian from the Civil Society Institute; Levon
Gulian’s sister Lilit Gulian; and several others. The roundtable
participants also decided to form a work group dedicated to the combat
against all unlawful actions.

In his closing remarks, NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian once again
asserted that the death of an Armenian citizen under mysterious
circumstances and, what is more, at a state institution–a police precinct–"is
yet another test for the development of the Armenian justice system and
civil society."

The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in December 2001 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with the purpose of
realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in the state of the
state, society, and public institutions. The National Citizens’ Initiative
is guided by a Coordinating Council, which includes individual citizens and
representatives of various public, scientific, and educational
establishments. Five commissions on Law and State Administration,
Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and
the Youth constitute the vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.

For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email info@nci.am; or visit