Mher Yenokyan Transferred to Low-Security Zone: Statement

The Facebook page 'Freedom for Mher Yenokyan' reports: 'Dear friends, in recent days we have received numerous congratulations, calls, and encouraging messages, as news has spread that Mher has been released. We would like to inform you that after years of persistent, dedicated, loving, and patient struggle, Mher has been transferred to a low-security zone, previously known as an open penitentiary.

This means that after 27 years, the conditions of his detention have been eased. For the purposes of education, work, and resocialization, he may be allowed to leave the prison for certain periods and under conditions. Any life sentence convict can be transferred to serve their sentence under these conditions after 20 years based on good behavior. A precedent was set in 2020 when life convict Arsen Artsrunyan was transferred to an open penitentiary.

We thank you, all our friends, acquaintances, and strangers, for encouraging us with your sincere words, actions, and faith that the day will come... May goodness be with your families... We continue to work together as lawyers, trying to support people's rights restoration with our knowledge, experience, and the path we've traveled. The journey continues...'

It is worth noting that Yenokyan has been charged with the murder of his classmate, Joseph Agajanov. He was sentenced to death on November 29, 1996. According to the verdict, the crime was committed by Yenokyan along with his friend, Aram Harutyunyan, at the latter's home. In 2003, when the death penalty was abolished in Armenia, Mher Yenokyan was sentenced to life imprisonment. Yenokyan insists that he has fought for justice all these years and claims he is not guilty of the murder.