Gagik Khachatryan Released from Astghik Medical Center by Center's Decision: Justice Ministry

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia has clarified the circumstances surrounding the release of Gagik Khachatryan from the Astghik Medical Center and the related media reports. This has been communicated by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry of Justice.

The clarification states, “A message has circulated in the media claiming that employees of the Corrections Service are currently at the Astghik Medical Center to transfer Gagik Khachatryan to prison.” The Ministry of Justice considers it necessary to provide clarification regarding the information presented in the message. Today, around 16:00, a document was presented to the physician of the Corrections Medical Center by the Astghik Medical Center. The document, issued and signed by Dr. R. Kurghinyan, head of the Neurology Service Prof. H. Manvelyan, and department head G. Vardanyan, confirmed that the detained individual Gagik Khachatryan was being released from the neurological department of the Astghik Medical Center on May 22, 2020, at 16:00.

After handing over the original document, the physician of the Corrections Service left the room. Shortly after returning, the physician discovered that the document had disappeared from the table. “The Astghik Medical Center has apparently misappropriated the original document given to the physician and has refused to present it, claiming that such a document was not issued.”

The attention of the Astghik Medical Center is drawn to the fact that despite the “disappearance” of the original document, a photocopy exists and is held by the Corrections Medical Center and the Prison Service administration. Based on this properly prepared, signed, and sealed document, they will carry out the process of transferring the detained Gagik Khachatryan.

In such a situation, it is more than reasonable to assume that the Astghik Medical Center has a vested interest in keeping the detained Gagik Khachatryan at the said medical center. Following the “disappearance” of the original document regarding G. Khachatryan's release, contradictory information was reportedly provided, implying that the Astghik Medical Center might have withdrawn its decision to discharge him. In this context, it is at least questionable how the decision made by the specialized doctors regarding the discharge could change so suddenly.

The grounds for suspecting that the Astghik Medical Center might have a vested interest in keeping Gagik Khachatryan are reinforced by the fact that he has not been receiving inpatient treatment there (he has been there since February 7, 2020). The treatment provided is performed by an invited specialist.

The Ministry of Justice informs that a report will be submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office regarding the fact. The ministry will remain persistent in ensuring that those involved in the process are held criminally responsible, utilizing the full potential of the legal framework based on established grounds. This gives apparent reason to suggest that there may be corruption risks, which should receive appropriate assessment from the competent authorities.

As for the claim made by Khachatryan’s lawyer in the circulated media message that the transfer is based on the decision of the director of the Corrections Medical Center, such a statement at least reflects a lack of understanding of the director's authority. The director of the Corrections Medical Center is not authorized to discharge a patient who is in a civilian medical institution on his own initiative. Neither the Corrections Medical Center nor the Corrections Service can be interested in the process of releasing any detained individual. In connection with this case, the director of the Corrections Medical Center has sent a letter to the Astghik Medical Center emphasizing that they are ready to ensure the medical assistance and care of the detained Gagik Khachatryan, including providing the treatment prescribed by the invited specialist.