ArmInfo.The state is obliged to ensure the rights of persons deprived of liberty or under its jurisdiction.
This is how, as always belatedly, the Armenian Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan responded to the registered cases of death and suicide in places of detention, which the Armenian media have been writing about for several days now. "As of January 2025, five fatal cases were recorded in these institutions: three cases of death and two cases of suicide," Manasyan said.
In this regard, as noted, the human rights activist demanded that the competent authorities provide clarifications on each of these cases. It is reported that Manasyan also sent a letter to the Investigative Committee with an urgent request to conduct an effective investigation.
"The increase in the number of deaths, suicides and self-harm in penal institutions raises extremely serious concerns. I call on the relevant bodies to pay attention to the problems associated with their prevention," the ombudsman summed up.
According to Armenian mass media, 4 prisoners have died in the penal institution over the past 23 days. One of the prisoners declared a 20-day hunger strike, two hanged themselves, and the third died in Heratsi Hospital.