Scandal in Vanadzor Prison: Officials Suspected of Transferring Drugs to Prison Authorities

The Investigative Department of the National Security Service of Armenia has initiated a criminal case under Articles 308, 311, 312 (part 1) and Article 266 (part 2, clause 3) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. This information has been reported by shamshyan.com.

The news outlet informs that the criminal case has been initiated against officials of the "Vanadzor" penitentiary institution under the Ministry of Justice of Armenia. It has been revealed that these individuals have abused their official positions and failed to perform their duties properly due to personal and vested interests.

According to the findings, these officials colluded with several inmates who hold authority in the criminal environment within Vanadzor prison, and from the fall of 2018 to June of this year, they introduced prohibited items, including drugs, into the prison premises in exchange for varying sums of money.

According to G. Shamshyan, there are suspicions that the transfers were made to inmates Samvel Davtyan, Garik Danielyan, Arsen Terikhanian, and Nver Kirakosyan.

Information from a photojournalist indicates that the suspects include Deputy Warden of Vanadzor Prison Mamikon Prukyan, Deputy for Security Yegishe Kochinyan, and Officer Artyom Asryan.