Incarcerated Protester on Hunger Strike for 29 Days Takes Extreme Measure, Nails Feet to Floor

Tigran Badalyan, an inmate at Armavir penitentiary who has been on a hunger strike for 29 days, has taken an extreme measure today by nailing his feet to the floor of his cell. His lawyer, Karlen Avagyan, informed Tert.am about this incident.

It is worth noting that just days ago, while on both hunger and thirst strike, Tigran Badalyan inflicted self-harm by sewing his mouth shut and cutting his wrist veins.

According to his lawyer, numerous inexplicable actions are taking place in Tigran Badalyan’s criminal case, and the criminal prosecution against him should have been dropped. However, the investigative bodies decided to send the case to court with an accusatory conclusion. Avagyan pointed out that individuals who have committed similar acts and whose guilt has been proven are currently free, while the pre-trial measure against Tigran Badalyan has not changed to this day.

“Initially, a bail was imposed on him, and without any violations occurring, the Court of Appeal decided that my client should be detained. My client has taken such a step to draw public attention to his case by declaring a hunger and thirst strike, considering the court's disposition toward this case. I am preparing to appeal to the European Court if the results of the domestic courts in Armenia are not satisfactory to us,” said Avagyan.

He added that on September 25, the defense’s speech will take place, after which the judge will retire to the consultation room to make a verdict.

“Almost all court sessions have been rejected on the same grounds, stating that my client should be released and the pre-trial measure should be changed, yet all motions have been dismissed in a one-liner as unfounded. This action does not exert pressure on the court but highlights that, if cases are not of a political nature, they are neglected, making it difficult to defend the interests of ordinary citizens. My client is prepared to die to prove his innocence, but we all understand that if something happens to him and the courts later acquit him, it means nothing,” Avagyan emphasized.

Addressing the circumstances of the case, the lawyer noted that Tigran Badalyan found metal sheets in their village and handed them over to a scrap metal collection point located in the same village. He believes it is illogical that if he had stolen the metal sheets, he would not have handed them over in the same village.

“The victims had invited him to their home when there was no criminal case or claim made, and Tigran Badalyan informed them that he had found those sheets. At that time, the victims decided to go to the police to clarify this matter. The police, considering that the sheets were in his possession, took it as basis for assuming that he had not found them but stolen them,” Avagyan stated.

Karlen Avagyan argues that the criminal procedure code protects the society from socially dangerous acts and shields the public from the encroachments of the state apparatus. However, he claims that the preliminary investigation has failed in its duty and has instead conducted an encroachment against an ordinary citizen. “It is absurd to send such a criminal case with an accusatory conclusion to the court based on such weak evidence. Justice is not being served; rather, it is a matter of serving one’s interests among several parties: the prosecution, investigative bodies, and judicial authorities,” he concluded.

It is recalled that Tigran Badalyan has been charged under Article 177, Part 3, Subpart 1.1 of the RA Criminal Code for theft committed through illegal entry into a residence.