Arrest warrant issued for Armenian teacher accused of assaulting student

An arrest warrant has been issued for a teacher in Gegharkunik Province who was allegedly caught on school CCTV assaulting a female student.

According to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, it received a report concerning an apparent crime on October 6.

According to the report, on September 30, a teacher at Vardadzor Secondary School allegedly struck a female student with a pointer during class for talking. When the student ran into the hallway, the teacher allegedly followed her, hit the minor with her hand, and dragged her back to the classroom.

Some media outlets have published CCTV footage from the school showing the teacher’s actions in the hallway.

Criminal proceedings were initiated by the Gegharkunik Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee on suspicion of causing severe physical pain or severe mental suffering to a minor, the Investigative Committee said.

During the preliminary investigation, based on sufficient evidence obtained, the investigator submitted a motion to the supervising prosecutor to initiate public criminal prosecution against the teacher. The motion was granted.

An arrest warrant was issued for the teacher.

The preliminary investigation is continuing.

Education authorities said they have launched a process to revoke the teaching license of the teacher.

Ombudsperson Anahit Manasyan decried violence and said her team was studying the reports, including a similar, separate alleged assault in Metsamor.