Father Armen Bagramyan claims that he was struck in stomach with butt of gun
By Sam Catanzaro
An Armenian priest is suing the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for alleged use of excessive force at a recent Brentwood-area protest.
According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 12, 55-year-old Armenian priest Father Armen Bagramyan claims that he was struck in the stomach with the butt of a gun and kicked in the chest by an LAPD Officer Ruiz, even though Bagramyan says he was assisting the police to keep the protest peaceful.
“At no point before this attack had Officer Ruiz or any LAPD Officer commanded Father Bagramyan to correct any actions or warned him that he was not in compliance with any orders,” reads the lawsuit.
Bagramyan was sent to UCLA Medical Center for treatment following the incident.
According to Bagramyan’s attorney Greg Kirakosian, the priest had been blindsided by Officer Ruiz when he was struck in the stomach.
According to the LAPD, on July 21, at around 2:00 p.m., a protest, sponsored by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), took place at the Azerbaijan Consulate. A large crowd of Armenian protesters showed up to the 11700 block of Wilshire Boulevard, estimated at one point to be more than 500 people. A counter-protest, held by Azerbaijani protesters, estimated to be between 30-50 people, was held directly across the street. During the protest, the two opposing groups became increasingly agitated which resulted in a physical altercation.
