Kocharian Provided with E-Reader, Not a Computer: Clarification

Some media outlets have reported, in reference to the 2018 report published by Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan and sent to the National Assembly of Armenia, that the Ombudsman's intervention resulted in the provision of a computer to Armenia's second President Robert Kocharian without internet access.

To avoid misinterpretation, the Penal Execution Service clarifies that according to the Republic of Armenia government decision No. 1543-N, dated August 3, 2006, regarding the internal regulations of places of detention and correctional establishments under the Ministry of Justice, there is a list of items, objects, and foodstuffs that are prohibited for detainees and convicts to possess, receive, or obtain through transfers, packages, and parcels.

A computer is included in the list of prohibited items, along with other objects. In reality, Robert Kocharian was provided not with a computer, but with an electronic book that does not have internet access, video or photography recording capabilities, or audio recording capabilities. This is also mentioned in the Ombudsman's annual report, specifically stating: '...upon the presentation of an application, a person will be allowed to receive not a computer, but, as per the Ministry's format, an electronic book, provided that the electronic book does not have access to the internet, video or photography recording capabilities, or audio recording capabilities, and the reading material is already downloaded onto the electronic book.'

Public Relations Department of the Penal Execution Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia