“October 27” convict dies in prison
Hamlet Stepanyan, an Armenian citizen sentenced to 14 years in prison in relation to the the so-called "October 27" case, died a sudden death on May 15 in Nubarashen prison, reports the RA Justice Ministry.
One of the six participants of the terrorist act committed in the Armenian parliament in October 1999, was convicted under Articles 300.1 (usurping state power), 305 (assassination of a state, political or public figure), 217 (terrorism) and 133 (illegal deprivation of freedom.)
Arsen Babayan, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry's Department of Penitentiaries, says the preliminary examination of Stepanyan's body revealed no traces of violence. A forensic investigation is under way to find out the reason of the sudden death.
A group at the Justice Ministry that conducts public monitoring in the prisons has been notified about the incident and has been invited to take part in the examination.
October 27, 1999 a group of terrorists rushed in the Armenian parliament hall and shot point-blank leaders and members of the Armenian parliament and government. Eight were killed - National Assembly speaker Karen Demirchian, prime minister Vazgen Sargsian, parliament vice-speakers Yuri Bakhshian and Ruben Miroyan, minister for operational issues Leonard Petrosian, parliament deputies Armenak Armenakian, Henrik Abrahamian, Mikayel Kotanian.
