Criminal Case Initiated Following Incident at Nubarashen Penitentiary

A group of public observers conducting oversight in penitentiaries and bodies of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia visited the Nubarashen Penitentiary on the morning of August 25, 2020, based on reports that had emerged in the press and on social media the previous day.

During the visit, it became clear that on August 23, 2020, an unannounced visit was conducted by a special unit of the penitentiary service, during which a search was carried out in cell number 4. In that cell, detainees H.Sh. and A.Sh. were present. No prohibited items were found during the search.

According to the report prepared regarding the incident, the detainees did not comply with the lawful orders of the staff, necessitating the use of special measures and physical force. The group recorded several bodily injuries on the detainees as a result of the application of these special measures and physical force.

Expressing serious concern over the legality and proportionality of the use of special measures and physical force, the group immediately reported the crime to the Prosecutor General's Office, suggesting that a criminal case be initiated to verify the legality of the actions of the special unit staff. They also recommended that immediate forensic examinations be carried out on the mentioned detainees.

On September 4, 2020, the group received an official clarification from the Investigative Committee of Armenia stating that a criminal case had been initiated under Part 2 of Article 309 of the Armenian Criminal Code for the case described above, involving apparent violence against public officials.