12 Inmates and 9 Convicts Released After Expressing Desire to Join the Front

As a result of reviewing applications from incarcerated individuals expressing a desire to join the front lines, the measures of restraint for 12 inmates have been changed, and 9 convicts have been conditionally released from serving their sentences. This information was provided in response to a written inquiry from Haykakan Zhamanak by Grigori Poghosyan, head of the Department of Supervision over the Legality of the Application of Punishments and Other Coercive Measures at the Prosecutor's Office.

The incarcerated individuals submitted applications to join the front during the state of emergency declared by the Armenian government starting September 27. The Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Justice's Penitentiary Service did not provide details regarding the total number of applications, only noting that the ministry does not have the authority to suspend, defer, or release individuals from punishment, nor to change or revoke detention as a measure of restraint.

In addressing the Prosecutor General's Office, we inquired how many inmates and convicts had submitted such applications, how many were granted, and how many were denied. Given the absence of clear legal regulations, we also requested clarification on the general approach taken towards these applications.

In response to our inquiry, the Prosecutor's Office stated that each application was handled with a strict individualized approach, and it was deemed inappropriate to provide information on other questions due to the state of emergency.