Questions Raised by 'Thieves' in 'Vanadzor' Penitentiary

The penitentiary service of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia and the personnel of the 'Vanadzor' penitentiary have revealed cases of abuse of official power by officials on duty in the same penitentiary, as well as the maintenance of the highest rank in the criminal hierarchy by individuals in detention, along with leading groups that uphold criminal subcultures.

Specifically, it was found that on April 2, 2020, around 20:00, personnel on duty transferred two detainees and one convict out of their cells and escorted them to another cell, where individuals S.D. and D.H., who maintain the highest status in the criminal hierarchy within the same penitentiary, were located. The purpose of this transfer was to resolve a dispute arising over adherence to the behavioral norms established and recognized by criminal subcultures, resulting in a 15-minute argument and exchange of clarifications filled with insults.

A criminal case has been initiated on April 3, 2020, at the 'Vanadzor' penitentiary, under Article 308, Part 1, Article 223.1, Part 1, and Article 223.2, Parts 2, Items 1 and 5 of the RA Criminal Code, which has been sent to the Special Investigative Service of Armenia.