`LAW-VIOLATOR WITH ABUSERS’

Lragir.am
02/02/2011

`Everyone is happy when a boy isborn in our families. But the boy
grows and becomes 12-13 years old and appears an abuser like Serob
Ter-Poghosyan…’, a discussion on the protection of children victims of
sexual abuse began with these words of the Representative of People in
Need organization Tatevik Bezhanyan. The discussion dwelt on a right
behavior towards the victims of sexual abuse, but few noted that just
in the beginning the presumption of innocence was violated.

There are already public discussions on the fact that the owner of
`Metal Prince’ corporation, former adviser of the Prime Minister is an
abuser, but there is no judicial act in this connection.

We asked the Representative of People in Need organization Tatevik
Bezhanyan why she violated the presumption of innocence of Serob
Ter-Poghosyan. She said that online news portal `Hetq’ already did it,
while Ter-Poghosyan was never called an abuser in Hetq articles.

We asked whether she is a law-violator, she answered that when she
deals with abusers, she is. She said sure that Ter-Poghosyan is an
abuser.

It is found out that even the law enforcement bodies were interested
in Serob Ter-Poghosyan’s activities but investigation was launched
only after publications in the press. In answer to our question why
the prosecutor’s office waits for publications and only then launches
a criminal case, a senior prosecutor Artur Ghambaryan answered that a
reason for a criminal case can be information by an individual or a
press means. Without this, launching a criminal case will be
considered a law breach.

Do the police have no function of revelation and prevention of crimes?
Tatevik Bezhanyan answered: `Do they have to walk in the streets
looking for abusers?’

Representative of the General Prosecutor’s office Artur Ghambaryan
thinks Serob Ter-Poghosyan’s case should be considered by the Special
Investigation Service for protection of children’s rights and an
objective investigation.

Criminal Affairs Specialist of Judicial Department Hayk Harutyunyan
said that in 2000-2010 period, 112 people were sexually abused, 101 of
which minors.

Speakers think that sexual abusers should be deprived of freedom
instead of paying a fine of 100 thousand drams.

ARMAN GHARIBYAN

From: A. Papazian