Rule of Law on Groong Podcast

Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026

Sun, 10 May 2026 12:30:00 -0700

Summary

This Conversations on Groong episode examines the Vedi abuse case, a disturbing story involving alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable minors and serious questions about Armenia's law-enforcement response. Attorney Tatevik Soghoyan joins the program to discuss the known timeline, the delays between the first reports and arrests, the treatment of the victims, and the public statements by investigators and government officials. The discussion focuses on whether this was a local failure, a systemic breakdown, or a deeper case of political responsibility, while asking what Armenia's justice and child-protection systems must do to prevent such cases from being ignored, delayed, or mishandled.

Main Topics Addressed

Vedi abuse case timeline
Role of Suzy Badoyan’s reporting
Police and Investigative Committee delays
Treatment of minors during questioning
Victim privacy and public statements
Dismissed Ararat law-enforcement officials
Claims of police informant ties
Political use of law enforcement
Poverty and family vulnerability
Weaknesses in child-protection systems
Responsibility of prosecutors and investigators
Possible criminal liability for official misconduct

Key Questions Discussed

Who first reported the alleged abuse in Vedi?
Did the case begin with police work, school reporting, or media pressure?
Why were the suspects allegedly left free for months?
Were the minors questioned with proper legal and psychological protections?
Did the Investigative Committee’s public statement harm the victims’ privacy?
Why did senior officials claim they learned about the case from the media?
Is it credible that higher authorities were unaware of the case?
Were local officials removed to contain public anger?
Does this case show a wider breakdown in Armenia’s law-enforcement system?
Has the politicization of law enforcement weakened ordinary criminal justice?
What role did poverty and social vulnerability play?
Are NGOs and state child-protection bodies functioning as they should?
Are resignations enough, or should officials face criminal investigation?
What reforms are needed to prevent similar failures?

References

Wrap-up

Links and Resources

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Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026

Sun, 10 May 2026 12:30:00 -0700

Episode Summary

Transcript: Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Episode Information

Episode: Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026
Subtitle: Conversations on Groong - May 10, 2026
Date: 2026-05-10
Episode Number: 542
Show Page: https://podcasts.groong.org/542
Hosts: Hovik Manucharyan, Asbed Bedrossian
Guests: Tatevik Soghoyan

Transcript

Warning: This is a rush transcript generated automatically and may contain errors.

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Report on Police Brutality on June 12, Armenia High Pretrial Detention Rate, Avetik Chalabyan | Ep 343 - July 11, 2024

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 20:20:32 +0400

Police Brutality and Freedom of Assembly

Report on Police Brutality on June 12 Rally

So the ACPR Ad Hoc report on June 12 is out. On that day, the Pashinyan regime clearly showed that they’re ready and willing to use disproportionate force to suppress protesters. Up to a hundred people sought medical attention after the police lobbed dozens of stun grenades at the protesters, many of them were severely injured.

Among the injured were several journalists, including Abraham Gasparyan from ABC Media. RSF (Reporters Without Borders) criticized the Armenian police for “deliberately” targeting journalists.

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Report on Police Brutality on June 12, Armenia High Pretrial Detention Rate, Avetik Chalabyan | Ep 343 - July 11, 2024

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 20:20:32 +0400

Episode Summary

Report on Police Brutality on June 12 Rally. PACE Resolution on Armenia. Armenia’s High Pretrial Detention Rate. Spotlight on Political Prisoner: Avetik Chalabyan.

Go to Episode Notes

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Political Prisoners in Armenia | Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws | Cases: Samuel Vardanyan. Narek Malyan. Armen Grigorian | Ep 325 - Apr 22, 2024

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0400

Political Prisoners in Armenia | Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws | Cases: Samvel Vardanyan, Narek Malyan, Armen Grigoryan

Political Persecution in Armenia

Rafael, six years have passed since the so-called “Velvet Revolution”. Our impression is that most countries, especially western countries that have human rights on their foreign agenda, pay lip service to “Armenia’s democracy.” But is that really the case?

The organization you’re part of, the Helsinki Committee of Armenia recently issued a report, called simply: “Human rights in Armenia, 2023”.

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Political Prisoners in Armenia | Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws | Cases: Samuel Vardanyan. Narek Malyan. Armen Grigorian | Ep 325 - Apr 22, 2024

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Political Prisoners in Armenia. Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws. Cases. Samuel Vardanyan. Narek Malyan. Armen Grigorian.

Go to Episode Notes