Prison Service Employees Arrested

Criminal proceedings against suspect Vahagn Abgaryan at the RA Ministry of Justice's “Nubarashen” penitentiary have led to an investigation initiated due to bodily harm inflicted upon him. The materials relevant to the case were sent to the Special Investigative Service of the Republic of Armenia through the General Prosecutor's Office in accordance with Article 190, Part 6 of the RA Criminal Procedure Code for further proceedings.

On March 5, 2020, based on the order of the investigator of the Special Investigative Service, a criminal case was initiated under Article 308, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code. The preliminary investigation revealed that during the day shift at the “Nubarashen” penitentiary, employees violated the provisions of Article 24, Part 1, Points 1 and 4 of the RA Law on the Penitentiary Service, and the requirements established by the RA Government concerning the internal regulations for places of detention and correctional institutions under the Ministry of Justice, by abusing their official authority on February 24, 2020. This led to significant harm to the rights and legal interests of V. Abgaryan, who was detained at the penitentiary.

Specifically, on the evening of February 24, 2020, employees of the penitentiary removed V. Abgaryan from his cell under the pretext of escorting him to the facility's director and took him to another cell where inmates argued with him and inflicted various blows to his body, resulting in injuries characteristic of minor harm, as well as injuries that did not constitute minor harm.

On August 26, 2020, two employees of the penitentiary service were arrested on suspicion of committing an offense under Article 308, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code. A comprehensive and objective investigation into the circumstances of the case is underway under proper prosecutorial supervision, aimed at determining potential involvement of other officials.

Notice: A person suspected or accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision as provided by the RA Criminal Procedure Code.