Inmate renounces his Armenian citizenship
An Armenian national serving his prison sentence in Artik penitentiary institution in Armenia, renounces his citizenship and religion. Artur Smbatyan personally told A1+ about his decision. Explaining the reasons for his decision on the telephone, Smbatyan said the reason was that he was not allowed to participate in his father’s funeral. Smbatyan was especially angered by the fact that his letters written to Serzh Sargsyan and Justice Minister (Arpine Hovhannisyan) 15 days ago were left unanswered. “This is not a system of justice; it is a system of injustice,” the prisoner says. He also wants to meet journalists. Artur Smbatyan has also addressed a letter to Artyom Mkhoyan, Head of Artik prison. In the letter, the prisoner said if he ever commits suicide, the fault will lie with the Ministry of Justice.
