Detained Gyumri Mayor’s Health Worsens, Lawyer Alleges Criminal Denial of Medical Aid
YEREVAN, Armenia – The health of Vardan Ghukasyan, the elected mayor of Gyumri, currently held in the ‘Yerevan-Kentron’ Penitentiary of the Armenian Ministry of Justice, has significantly deteriorated, according to his lawyer, Zaruhi Postanjyan. Postanjyan has filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor General of Armenia, alleging multiple offenses by officials who she claims are actively obstructing Ghukasyan’s access to medical care.
A Pattern of Neglect: Repeated Appeals Unanswered
Postanjyan states that she has repeatedly submitted criminal complaints and official requests regarding the conditions at the ‘Yerevan-Kentron’ facility, specifically concerning the lack of medical assistance for Ghukasyan. “To this day, no response has been provided, and no criminal proceedings have been initiated,” Postanjyan asserts, highlighting that her latest complaint, filed just yesterday, also remains unaddressed.
Alarming Deterioration: A Lawyer’s Eyewitness Account
On January 18, 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM, during a visit to Ghukasyan, Postanjyan personally witnessed a significant decline in his health. “Vardan Ghukasyan complained of noise in his ears, constant chest pains, and a sharp weight loss, which is already clearly visible. He had a pale appearance and expressed physical weakness,” she detailed in her complaint.
In response to the alarming situation, Postanjyan immediately requested the penitentiary’s doctor to examine Ghukasyan. However, she was informed that the doctor was not on site. Her subsequent request for at least a nurse to examine Ghukasyan was “directly rejected.”
As a result, no medical assistance was provided to the visibly unwell individual, despite being a person deprived of liberty and under the direct supervision and responsibility of the state.
Ambulance Denied Entry: A Critical Obstruction
Forced to leave the facility to call an ambulance, Postanjyan also prepared to file a criminal complaint regarding the denial of assistance to a person deprived of liberty. The ambulance arrived at approximately 3:10 PM, but its medical personnel were “not allowed to enter the penitentiary,” making it impossible to examine Ghukasyan or provide medical aid.
Allegations of Criminal Offenses: Official Negligence and Abuse of Power
Postanjyan’s complaint outlines several potential criminal offenses under the Armenian Criminal Code:
- 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 “real and serious danger to Vardan Ghukasyan’s life and health.”
- Article 441 (Abuse of Official Power): Officials are accused of exercising their powers contrary to the interests of the service, specifically by hindering the provision of medical assistance and refusing ambulance entry.
- Article 187 (Failure to Render Aid): Postanjyan suggests that if identified, medical or other responsible personnel who actively obstructed medical aid, including denying ambulance entry, could also be held accountable under this article.
Call for Immediate Action and Accountability
Postanjyan demands the initiation of criminal proceedings, a swift, comprehensive, and impartial preliminary investigation free from conflicts of interest, and the full protection of the victim’s rights. She calls for the public prosecution of several high-ranking officials:
- Srbouhi Galyan: Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
- Tsovinar 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 asserts that their conduct constitutes a “gross and continuous violation of the state’s positive obligations towards persons deprived of liberty, leading to individual criminal liability.”
The situation raises serious questions about the treatment of detainees in Armenia and the accountability of officials responsible for their well-being. The denial of medical care, particularly in a case involving an elected official, underscores a potential systemic issue that demands immediate and thorough investigation.
The outcome of Postanjyan’s complaint and the subsequent investigation will be crucial in determining the extent of official misconduct and ensuring justice for Vardan Ghukasyan.
Source: https://mamul.am/am/news/348611
