Denial of Medical Aid to Detained Gyumri Mayor: A Case of Official Negligence?
YEREVAN, Armenia – Lawyer Zaruhi Postanjyan has submitted a formal complaint to the Prosecutor General of Armenia, alleging a systematic and deliberate denial of medical assistance to her client, Vardan Ghukasyan, the elected mayor of Gyumri, who is currently held in pre-trial detention at the ‘Yerevan-Kentron’ penitentiary. This report, filed on January 17, 2026, outlines a disturbing pattern of neglect and obstruction, raising serious questions about the adherence to legal and ethical standards within the Armenian penitentiary system.
A Deteriorating Health Condition and Unanswered Calls for Help
Postanjyan’s complaint details a critical deterioration in Ghukasyan’s health. During her visit to the penitentiary on January 17, she observed that Ghukasyan was experiencing significant health issues, including constant chest pains, ringing in his ears, and noticeable weight loss, coupled with a pale complexion and pronounced physical weakness. This alarming observation prompted an immediate request for medical attention from the penitentiary staff.
However, according to Postanjyan, her pleas were met with indifference and obstruction. She was informed that no doctor was available on site. A subsequent request for at least a nurse to examine Ghukasyan was also outright rejected. As a result, no medical assistance was provided to an individual clearly in need, despite being deprived of liberty and under the direct care and responsibility of the state.
Ambulance Denied Entry: A Critical Obstruction of Justice?
Faced with this alarming situation, Postanjyan was forced to leave the penitentiary to call an ambulance herself. The emergency medical team arrived at approximately 3:10 PM, but in a shocking turn of events, they were denied entry to the ‘Yerevan-Kentron’ penitentiary. This denial effectively prevented any medical examination or provision of aid to Vardan Ghukasyan, further exacerbating concerns about his well-being and the legality of the penitentiary’s actions.
Allegations of Criminal Offenses: Official Negligence and Abuse of Power
Postanjyan’s report argues that these factual circumstances point to several potential criminal offenses under the Armenian Criminal Code. Specifically, she cites:
- Article 446 (Official Negligence): Penitentiary officials, despite their legal obligation to ensure access to medical care for detainees, allegedly failed to perform their duties, creating a serious risk to Vardan Ghukasyan’s life and health.
- Article 441 (Abuse of Official Authority or Influence): Officials are accused of exceeding their authority by obstructing the provision of medical aid and refusing entry to the ambulance, acting contrary to the interests of the service.
- Article 187 (Failure to Provide Aid): The active obstruction of medical assistance, including the denial of entry to the ambulance, could also constitute elements of this crime, pending identification of responsible medical or other personnel during the investigation.
Call for Immediate Action and Accountability
In her report, Postanjyan demands immediate action from the Prosecutor General, including:
- Initiation of criminal proceedings based on the identified elements of the crimes.
- Ensuring a swift, comprehensive, and impartial preliminary investigation, free from conflicts of interest and guaranteeing the full protection of the victim’s rights.
- Public prosecution of several high-ranking officials, whose conduct, according to Postanjyan, represents a gross and continuous violation of the state’s positive obligations towards detainees, leading to individual criminal liability.
The officials named in the complaint include:
- Srbouhi Galyan, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
- Tsovinat Tadevosyan, Head of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
- Robert Tamaryan, Head of the ‘Yerevan-Kentron’ Penitentiary of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
- Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia
- Kamo Manukyan, Director of the ‘Penitentiary Medicine Center’ SNCO of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia
Postanjyan emphasizes that the actions of these individuals constitute a severe and ongoing breach of the state’s responsibilities towards individuals deprived of their liberty, warranting individual criminal accountability.
Unanswered Questions and a Call for Transparency
This incident raises critical questions about the transparency and accountability within Armenia’s justice and healthcare systems, particularly concerning the treatment of detainees. The repeated failure to provide medical care and the obstruction of emergency services paint a grim picture of potential systemic issues that demand immediate and thorough investigation. The public awaits a comprehensive response from the Prosecutor General’s office and a clear commitment to upholding human rights within all state institutions.
Source: Zaruhi Postanjyan
