ArmInfo. Based on complaints addressed to the Human Rights Defender, as well as calls received via the hotline, on February 4, on behalf of the Ombudsman, a visit was conducted to the Armavir penitentiary institution of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia.
According to the Ombudsman's office, representatives of the Ombudsman held in the penitentiary unit conversations with prisoners, including three persons on hunger strike. The conditions of their detention as well as medical documents were also checked. Representatives of the Ombudsman held conversations with prisoners who went on a hunger strike, including Vagharshak Avetisyan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, who expressed disagreement with the sentence imposed on him, and for this reason declared a hunger strike, refusing to eat. During the conversation, the prisoner stated that he wanted to take appropriate food. This issue was discussed with the management of the penitentiary institution and received its permission. In addition, Vagharshak Avetisyan also raised the issue of his conditions of detention, which was also discussed with representatives of the penitentiary administration and, according to them, this issue will be resolved as soon as possible.
Vagharshak Avetisyan's medical documents, including a medical card, were also studied. It was noted that the medical record of Vagarshak Avetisyan contains doctor's daily records about his state of health. The state of health of the convict for life and medical control issues were discussed with the staff of the penitentiary. The representatives of the Ombudsman were explained that Vagharshak Avetisyan's consciousness is clear and he answers the questions on the merits. There is no need for medication. It also turned out that Vagharshak Avetisyan is under the dynamic control of the medical department of the penitentiary institution. The question of the person who went on a hunger strike, who raised the issue demanding a review of the court decision, was also considered. The latter was explained that the problem he had raised was not under the authority of the Human Rights Defender.