Detained Vahagn Vermishyan Refuses Medical Assistance

The former chairman of the State Committee of Urban Development of Armenia, Vahagn Vermishyan, has declined the offered medical assistance. An official record has been drawn up regarding the matter, as reported by the Ministry of Justice of Armenia.

On July 25, Vermishyan's attorney wrote on social media that the doctors of the penitentiary institution had refused to call for an ambulance and transfer Vahagn Vermishyan to a medical center.

"We inform you that on the same day, around 19:00, Vermishyan's attorney visited the penitentiary institution and demanded that an ambulance be called, to which the staff responded that the unit providing medical assistance could offer the necessary treatment, and only if needed, they would call for an ambulance crew," the ministry's message stated.

The agency assures that Vermishyan did not present any health complaints before the attorney's visit, with complaints of dizziness and nausea emerging only after the attorney arrived, specifically around 19:30. He then approached the duty nurse of the unit.

The medical staff conducted an examination of V. Vermishyan. During the objective examination, arterial pressure was recorded at 130/80, with a pulse of 80 beats per minute, and his general condition was satisfactory. The nurse proposed a medication intervention related to the reported complaints, which the detainee refused, insisting instead on calling for an ambulance crew, which was deemed unnecessary.

On the same day, around 20:35, Vermishyan again approached the medical staff with complaints but once more declined the offered medical assistance, again demanding that an ambulance be called. Vermishyan also refused the objective examination by the nurse, including vital signs measurement, and declined to leave his cell for medical assistance.

An appropriate record was drawn up regarding the aforementioned situation. At around 21:30, V. Vermishyan met with his lawyer, which concluded around 22:05. At 23:30, the duty nurse conducted a night check and during the visit, Vermishyan did not report any complaints, stating that he felt well and needed nothing.