Ashot Knyazyan, Lifelong Prisoner in October 27 Case, Dies in Nubarashen Prison

Ashot Knyazyan, a lifelong prisoner in the October 27 case, has died in Nubarashen Prison. According to reports from the Ministry of Justice, Knyazyan, born in 1959, was experiencing health deterioration and called for emergency assistance on August 26 at approximately 19:05. Emergency personnel confirmed his biological death at 19:35.

It is noteworthy that 25 years ago, on October 27, at around 17:00, armed individuals stormed the National Assembly during a regular session, targeting the Speaker of the National Assembly, Karen Demirchyan, and Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan. The events of October 27, 1999, occurred during the question-and-answer session of the legislative and executive bodies.

The verdict in the October 27 case was announced on December 2, 2003, with the Central Court sentencing six individuals to life imprisonment and one individual to 14 years of imprisonment. The defendants were found guilty of Articles 300 (Usurpation of State Power), 305 (Murder of a State, Political, or Public Figure), 34-305 (Attempted Usurpation of Power), 217 (Terrorism), 133 (Illegal Deprivation of Freedom), and 235 (Illegal Acquisition, Sale, or Carrying of Weapons).

The six sentenced to life imprisonment included their leaders Nairi Hunanyan, his brother Karen Hunanyan, their uncle Vram Galstyan, Derenik Bejanian, Edik Grigoryan, and Ashot Knyazyan. Hamlet Stepanyan was sentenced to 14 years in prison.