Why Serj Sargsyan's Nephew Narek Sargsyan Was Transferred to 'Sevan' Prison: Clarification from the Penitentiary Service

The Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice has provided clarification regarding the transfer of Narek Sargsyan, nephew of Serj Sargsyan, from 'Yerevan Center' Prison to 'Sevan' Prison.

On March 30, 2023, the newspaper 'Hraparak' published an article titled 'Why Was Narek Sargsyan Transferred to 'Sevan' Prison?'. In connection with this publication, we inform that the order for the enforcement of Narek Sargsyan's sentence was received by the Penitentiary Service on July 19, 2022. According to the sentence, Narek Sargsyan committed a serious crime and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, with no recidivism.

In accordance with Article 59, part 2, and Article 96, part 1 of the RA Penitentiary Code, individuals convicted of serious crimes with a prison sentence not exceeding 10 years and without a history of recidivism serve their sentences in conditions of medium security.

Furthermore, according to Article 58 of the same code, the penitentiary institution and the corresponding security zone for the execution of the sentence are determined by the distribution commission operating in the central body of the Penitentiary Service, selecting a penitentiary institution as close as possible to the convicted person's previous permanent or close relatives' residence.

Taking into account that the legally defined conditions for serving sentences in medium security zones are only present in the 'Artik' and 'Sevan' penitentiary institutions, as well as considering that Narek Sargsyan previously resided permanently in Yerevan, the Commission designated the execution of his sentence at the penitentiary institution of the Ministry of Justice 'Sevan', as close as possible to his place of residence, where he was transferred on August 5, 2022.