The Detention of Kajaran Community Leader Manvel Paramazyan Extended for Two Months

The term of detention for Manvel Paramazyan, the head of Kajaran community in Syunik Province, has been extended for two months by the decision of the Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan. This was announced on her Facebook page by lawyer Lusine Sahakyan.

"This time, the honor of signing the pre-established political decision was conferred upon Mnatsakan Martirosyan (of course, again through the method of paper signing). I think it is unnecessary to discuss the nature of the case further. The public is sufficiently aware that Manvel Paramazyan is being attributed actions that are not only illegal but with which he has no connection. Furthermore, as a lawyer, I generally find it impossible to analyze the recent orchestrated political persecutions from a legal standpoint. However, there is a very interesting aspect in the materials presented to the court. It turns out that the person who filed a report in this case is in direct contact with Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan and MP Armen Khachatryan of the ruling Civil Contract party.

According to the reporter, these officials provided him with special phone numbers for quick and unrestricted communication. Again, according to the words of this individual, the person who is aware of the case is personally "Pasha" (effectively, Nikol Pashinyan is also referred to as "Pasha" by his supporters in the Syunik region).

At this stage, however, what is more important for us is the fact that neither the political supervisor giving orders nor the obedient executors are deterred by the threat to Manvel Paramazyan’s health and life caused by his detention. Even prior to these processes, Manvel Paramazyan had undergone medical examinations related to health issues, including abroad. He was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Individuals suffering from this condition, among other problems, are at constant risk of respiratory arrest during sleep. Those affected by this illness must use special devices while sleeping and require external care. During his time in detention, Manvel Paramazyan's diagnosis has also been confirmed by local doctors, while the measures to prevent the threat to his life cannot be undertaken under the conditions of the penitentiary institution. This means we are dealing not only with a violation of the right to personal freedom but also with attacks on the right to life and the demonstration of inhumane treatment. We have long known that such issues never concern the individuals making detention decisions, but the responsibility that the Republic of Armenia will be subject to as a state allowing such violations will be significant and unavoidable," the lawyer disclosed.