Details on the Disturbances at Nubarashen Prison: Involvement of 'Zone Watchers'

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has formed an investigation team following the mass disturbances at the "Nubarashen" penitentiary facility based on a directive from Major Hovhannes Poghosyan, head of the Yerevan investigative division for the Erebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, on September 5 of this year, around 15:30, two convicts serving their sentences at Nubarashen Prison, identified as N.K. nicknamed "Noragyughtsy Nverik" and V.G. known as "Vachik," both recognized amongst inmates as "zone watchers," organized mass disturbances within the facility. Both individuals proclaimed within the criminal underworld, referred to as "Pragon," that they would no longer consider themselves "zone watchers" and would not aid in resolving issues arising between prison staff, detainees, and convicts.

They instructed inmates involved in the prison's food distribution operations not to carry out their obligations, subsequently directing other detainees to engage in mass disturbances inside the facility.

Earlier reports indicated that several cells in the 3rd and 4th blocks of Nubarashen Prison were incited to perform large-scale unrest based on orders from the "zone watchers." They began destroying and damaging the cells' doors and food slots, breaking them apart. Between 18:00 and 19:00, items were thrown from the cells into the prison's security area, leading to a fire in the grass-covered area.