If you are arrested in Armenia, what to do in the first hours is clear: stay calm, use your rights and call a lawyer. What you say and sign now goes into the case file, and it is hard to change later. The rules below are those of the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia now in force.
Arrested in Armenia: what to do, step by step
- Do not resist and do not argue with the officers.
- Ask why you are arrested.
- Say that you want a lawyer, and give his name and phone number.
- Ask that a relative be informed of the arrest.
- Say nothing about the case until you talk to your lawyer.
- If you feel ill or are injured, say so and ask for a doctor.
Your rights from the moment of arrest
From the moment of arrest you have the right:
- to know the reason for the arrest;
- to a lawyer of your choice;
- to remain silent and not to testify against yourself or your close relatives;
- to have a relative informed of the arrest;
- to an interpreter if you do not speak Armenian well.
Say clearly that you use these rights, and ask that this is written in the protocol.
The 72-hour limit
An arrested person must be released or brought before a court within 72 hours. Only a court can order detention. At the hearing the prosecution can ask for detention, and the defense asks for bail or another measure that keeps the person out of custody. The lawyer prepares for this hearing from the first hours: he collects documents about the family, work, health and home of the client. Read more on detention and how to challenge it.
Check the arrest protocol
The officers write a protocol of the arrest. Before you sign it, check that:
- the date and the exact time when you were actually stopped are correct, because the 72 hours run from that moment;
- the reason for the arrest is written;
- all items taken from you are listed: phone, documents, money, keys.
What not to say
- Do not explain or justify anything before you talk to your lawyer.
- Do not discuss the case with other detained people or in informal talks.
- Do not guess dates, amounts or names. If you do not remember, say so.
- Do not testify against your close relatives. The law gives you this right.
What not to sign
- Do not sign a protocol or a statement that you have not read in full.
- Do not sign a text in a language you do not understand. Ask for an interpreter.
- If the protocol has a mistake or something is missing, write your remarks in it before you sign.
- Do not sign a refusal of a lawyer.
What your family can do
A relative can call the advocate, sign the agreement and collect the documents that the court needs. If you remember only the number of your advocate, give it to the officers: the advocate contacts your family himself. See what to do when a family member is arrested.
How advocate Marukyan helps after an arrest
Advocate Mnatsakan Marukyan practices criminal defense only. After an arrest he:
- comes to the police station or the investigative body and meets you in private;
- is present at questioning and at each investigative action;
- checks the grounds of the arrest and the protocol;
- prepares the defense for the court hearing on the preventive measure;
- keeps your family informed.
He works in Armenian, Russian and English, so foreign nationals can talk to him without an interpreter. See also defense of foreign nationals in Armenia. The first consultation is free.
Call +374 91 403961, or write on WhatsApp or Telegram. Advocate Marukyan is available 24/7 for arrests and searches.