Inhumane Treatment towards Aren Aramyan, Captured with Severe Injuries and Recently Repatriated, According to His Lawyer

On November 26, Aren Aramyan, who was handed over to the Armenian side and later arrested, is facing inhumane treatment that poses a risk of lifelong disability. This was stated by Aren Aramyan's defense attorney Ara Karapetyan in an interview with Tert.am, reminding that Aren Aramyan was captured on November 16 after sustaining severe bodily injuries.

“According to his account, he was transferred to one of the hospitals in Baku, where he underwent surgery twice. He has a knee injury alongside a gunshot wound resulting in multiple shattered fractures. After being transferred to Armenia, he was admitted for inpatient treatment at Muratsan Hospital, from where he was arrested on December 6 and transferred to the detention facility, where he was officially detained on December 8. On December 27, the investigator submitted another motion regarding his detention. During this period, we received a medical conclusion from Muratsan stating that his leg must remain immobilized in a splint for a month. However, in the meantime, he was transferred several times from the detention facility to the Military Investigative Department, raised to the second floor, and then moved to Armavir Penitentiary, and then brought back for questioning, even though movement is contraindicated for him in his condition,” the lawyer detailed.

Ara Karapetyan stated that his client's health had deteriorated, after which he submitted a request to the Medical Service of the Penitentiary, and he was transferred to “Erebuni” Medical Center for examination, but they have yet to receive a response.

“He could not attend the detention hearing due to his leg condition. His medical records indicate that his leg must remain immobilized for a month, after which he should undergo rehabilitative treatment, but what kind of rehabilitative treatment can he receive in prison? They also do not transfer him to the hospital for convicts. This situation has continued for several days. Imagine the complications that might arise; you know what issues can occur with a bone that is healing. We will prove his innocence, but for now, his family is more concerned about his health; that person will remain disabled for life with one leg, not counting the complications. Neither the court nor the investigative bodies have taken anything into account,” he said.

The lawyer elaborated that they had appealed the detention decision, but the appellate court judge Armen Danielyan left the detention measure unchanged, and they are now preparing to appeal the measure again. According to him, the justification for the detention is that his client may have an illegal influence on the case.

“Naturally, this is absurd; he cannot exert influence since most of those who were captured have returned, been questioned, and confronted — except for one person who has not returned. God willing, that serviceman will also return, but it turns out that if Aren is released, he might have illegal influence over the individual who, unfortunately, is still in Baku,” he emphasized.

Ara Karapetyan also highlighted that they have evidence showing that before his capture, Aren had been engaged in combat but was left alone in his position and was captured while severely injured — information that the commanders are also aware of.

“I repeat, I am confident that he will be acquitted, but right now, we are more concerned about his health,” he concluded.