OMBUDSMAN: VIOLENCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED

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Visit of the work group to the “Nubarashen”, “Clinic for Convicts” and “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiaries of the RA Justice Ministry

With the assignment of the RA Ombudsman, the Ombudsman’s administration officials visited the “Vardashen” and “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiaries of the RA Justice Ministry on December 25, 2008, met with detainees Sargis Hacpanyan and Hakob Hakobyan. On December 26, 2008, they visited the “Nubarashen” and “Clinic for Convicts” penitentiaries of the RA Justice Ministry, met with detainees Armen Khurshudyan, Ashot Manukyan and Gor Kocharyan.

Sargis Hacpanyan informed the Ombudsman’s administration officials that he is going to continue the hunger strike due to his violated rights and will move on to a water strike starting from December 26 if he is not released. Hacpanyan has also informed that he is not able to take a shower, there is no laundry in the penitentiary and he has appealed to the penitentiary administration to give him the money from his account to purchase necessary items.

Hacpanyan has informed that he doesn’t have the right to medical assistance. On November 11, 2008, Hacpanyan demanded an eye check-up, but the specialist has not shown up to date. Hacpanyan informed that the penitentiary administration has prohibited visits of relatives and telephone conversations and that he doesn’t have the right to create because the administration is prohibited to give him his laptop.

In regard to the complaints aimed against the penitentiary administration, the RA Ombudsman has appealed to the RA Justice Minister with the request of eradicating violations that have been committed. As far as the issue of release is concerned, it is out of the competence of the authorizations of the Ombudsman.

Hakob Hakobyan informed the Ombudsman’s administration officials that after the trial on December 23, 2008, he returned to the “Clinic for Convicts” penitentiary of the RA Justice Ministry. The same day he was suddenly transferred to the “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary of the RA Justice Ministry, despite the fact that he was still in poor health condition.

The Ombudsman’s representatives met with chief doctor of the “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary of the RA Justice Ministry S. Safaryan who informed that Hakob Hakobyan has received ongoing treatment for 33 days in the “Clinic for Convicts” penitentiary of the RA Ministry of Justice and was transferred to the “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary on December 23, 2008 with the purpose of receiving further treatment.

The Ombudsman’s administration officials met with detainees Ashot Manukyan and Armen Khurshudyan in the “Nubarashen” penitentiary of the RA Justice Ministry.

Ashot Manukyan informed that investigation was conducted in his cell on December 23, 2008 and the investigators had ordered him to leave the cell. As he was leaving the cell, he received a blow on his shoulder. After a while, he was called back to the cell and was investigated as a result of which no item was found. Besides his blow, there was no other physical abuse. He has also informed that he was transferred to another cell for no reason and the conditions were worse. He has asked the Ombudsman to help him get a new transfer.

Armen Khurshudyan refused to give any information regarding the violence against him. He complained about his transfer because during investigation there were no prohibited items. He has asked the Ombudsman to help him get a transfer to his previous cell and declared that he would declare a hunger strike if rejected.

The RA Ombudsman has appealed to the corresponding competent bodies with the request of transferring the detainees to their previous cells.

In the “Clinic for Convicts” penitentiary of the RA Justice Ministry the Ombudsman’s administration officials met with detainee Gor Kocharyan who has been transferred to the clinic from the “Nubarashen” penitentiary. He had bruises on his face.

In response to the officials’ question on the bruises, Kocharyan said that he had fallen and bruised his face.

The RA Ombudsman registers that the detainees have received assaults, but some of them refuse to give information. He condemns any violence and expresses confidence that as a result of the investigation everything will be done to reveal the reality and prevent any manifestation of violence.