As
previously reported, on April 3, the Human Rights Defender’s Office hotline
received a call that masked individuals had beaten life-sentenced prisoners in
the “Nubarashen” penitentiary institution.
As a
result of monitoring the media and social networks, information was also
received that the convicts were not receiving any medical care.
On
the Defender’s instruction, a rapid response group was sent to the “Nubarashen”
Penitentiary Institution to get acquainted with the details of the issues
raised on the spot and to have a private interview with the life-sentenced
prisoners.
During
the visit, representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office conducted
private interviews with approximately 30 individuals deprived of their liberty,
including life-sentenced prisoners and detainees, toured the cells and reviewed
the documents related to the persons deprived of their liberty.
During
the interviews, some of the individuals deprived of their liberty informed
representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office, among others, that on
the same day officers of the Special Department of the Penitentiary Service had
used disproportionate physical force, damaged property in the cells, and
directed insults and used abusive language towards them. The individuals
deprived of their liberty also claimed that it was not the mattresses that were
burned, but a single towel.
At
the same time, the representatives of the Human Rights Defender’s Office
recorded the physical injuries of the persons deprived of their liberty.
It
was also recorded that medical assistance is being provided to persons deprived
of their liberty, including an X-ray examination of 2 persons due to suspected
injuries.
The
information received and the problems recorded during the visit are currently
being summarized.
In
this regard, relevant clarifications will be requested from the competent state
authorities.
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