23 Deaths Recorded in Prisons, the 24th Could, God Forbid, Be the Holy Father: Garnik Danielyan

“The discussion is taking place at my request today, which is attended by the Minister of Health and the Human Rights Defender. The Minister of Health is not here, but a representative of the relevant agency is present and the head of the penitentiary institution has come,” said Garnik Danielyan, a member of the 'Hayastan' faction, after a closed discussion organized by the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights Protection.

According to the deputy, the discussion is related to the 23 death cases recorded in prisons over the past year. “This is a horrifying statistic,” Garnik Danielyan stated, noting that only 8 of them were self-harm cases that need to be investigated, and the existing problems need to be substantively addressed and resolved.

“The prisons are overcrowded, and this is also due to political cases, because of political prisoners,” said the opposition deputy and declared, “For the first time, I am drawing your attention to the case of Bishop Mikayel, who urgently needs surgery. I also raised this issue at the committee meeting because it is a sensitive and important matter that needs to be resolved as soon as possible, with the supervision and direct involvement of his doctor.”

Danielyan stated that the sad statistics give everyone a reason for vigilance and sobriety, and we must ensure that these 23 do not become 24. “I sadly note that the 24th could, God forbid, be the Holy Father,” Garnik Danielyan said, emphasizing that the matter has been raised and requires immediate resolution.