The failed authorization of the Armenia-EU Association Agreement and Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to join the Eurasian Economic Union of 2013 were followed by a notable rise of persecutions by the Armenian authorities against human rights defenders, journalists and civil activists.
In the past 3 years, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia has become more difficult. Space for human rights defender organizations and individual activists is constantly shrinking due to legislative amendments and punitive actions by the authorities.
Large-scale violations of the freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and the use of the justice system to violently suppress all protests that attempt to go beyond apolitical demonstrations shows that the authorities have employed an openly punitive stance against any and all dissent.
This list covers the list of the political prisoners in the RA (Republic of Armenia) and was drafted in compliance with the "political prisoner" term as defined by PACE.
The Report also includes the names (with detailed case description) of the persons convicted for their political views and released after serving their sentences.
Presently, the 12 persons listed below were imprisoned in the RA for their political views:
1. Shant Harutyunyan;
2. Avetis Avetisyan;
3. Liparit Petrosyan;
4. Vardan Vardanyan;
5. Albert Margaryan;
6. Mkrtich Hovhannisyan;
7. Vahe Mkrtchyan;
8. Hayk Harutyunyan;
9. Alek Poghosyan;
10. Volodya Avetisyan
11. Hayk Kyureghyan; and
12. Vardan Petrosyan
To prepare the Report, the HCA Vanadzor monitored the mass media, examined relevant judgments, observed trials and collected the required information from the families and lawyers of the persons in question. The Report provides details on the circumstances of their detention, political motives and photographs of each of the present and former political prisoners.
Shant Harutyunyan and Friends
1. Shant Harutyunyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities)
Sentenced to 6 (six) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. The ruling of the Yerevan Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts General Jurisdiction Court was appealed to the Court of Appeal which upheld the court ruling on October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. Sh. Harutyunyan is serving his term at the RA Vardashen penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR
2. Vardan Vardanyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities).
Sentenced to 5 (five) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court dated October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. V. Vardanyan is serving his term at the RA Vardashen penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
3. Alek Poghosyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities).
Sentenced to 4 (four) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court dated October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to investigate the appeal. The judgment entered into force. A. Poghosyan is serving his term at the RA Kosh penitentiary. On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR
4. Avetis Avetisyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities).
Sentenced to 5 (five) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court on October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not toinvestigate the appeal. The judgment entered into force. A. Avetisyan is serving his term at the RA Sevan penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
5. Liparit Petrosyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities).
Sentenced to 5 (five) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court on October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. L. Petrosyan is serving his term at the RA Kosh penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
6. Albert Margaryan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) and Article 316(2) (committing violence dangerous for life and health against police officers in their capacity of representatives of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 6 (six) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. As for the crime under Article 316(2) of the RA Criminal Code, the Court found Albert Margaryan not guilty and acquitted him due to absence of any corpus delicti.
The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court of October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. A. Margaryan is serving his term the RA Sevan penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
7. Vahe Mkrtchyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) and Article 316(2) (committing violence dangerous for life and health against police officers in their capacity of representatives of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 7 (seven) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crimes under Article 258(4) and Article 316(2) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court of October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. V. Mkrtchyan is serving his sentence at the RA Kosh penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR
8. Sevak Mnatsakanyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(3)(1 and 2) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 1(one)-year-and-6(six)-months’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(3)(1 and 2) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the General Jurisdiction Court of October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to investigate the appeal. S. Mnatsakanyan was released on May 5, 2015 upon the end of his term.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
9. Armen Hovhannisyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(3)(1 and 2) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 2 (two) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(3)(1 and 2) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons or an organized group, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities or a person carrying out a duty of public order protection or a person preventing breach of public order) of the RA Criminal Code.
The Court of Appeal upheld the General Jurisdiction Court ruling of October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. A. Hovhannisyan was released on November 5, 2015 upon the end of his term.
An appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
10. Tigran Petrosyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(3)(1 and 2) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 1 (one) year’s imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(3)(1 and 2) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons or an organized group, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities or a person carrying out a duty of public order protection or a person preventing breach of public order) of the RA Criminal Code.
The Court of Appeal upheld the General Jurisdiction Court ruling dated October 17, 2014. Tigran Petrosyan did not appeal the ruling of the RA Court of Appeal. He completed his sentence
and was released on November 5, 2014.
11. Hayk Harutyunyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) and Article 268(1) (illegal possession of considerable volume of psychotropic substance without the purpose of sale) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 4(four)-year-and-6(six)-months’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crimes under Article 258(4) and Article 268(1) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the General Jurisdiction Court ruling of October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force. H. Harutyunyan is serving his sentence at Sevan penitentiary.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
12. Mkrtich Hovhannisyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(4) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) and Article 316(2) (committing violence dangerous for life and health against police officers in their capacity of representatives of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 4 (four) years’ imprisonment and found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court found Mkrtich Hovhannisyan not guilty of the crime under Article 316(2) of the RA Criminal Code and acquitted him due to absence of any corpus delicti.
The Court of Appeal upheld the General Jurisdiction Court ruling dated October 17, 2014.
Mkrtich Hovhannisyan did not appeal the ruling of the RA Court of Appeal. The judgment entered into force. M. Hovhannisyan is serving his term at Sevan penitentiary
13 Misak Arakelyan
Date of arrest: November 5, 2013
Charges: Article 258(1) (hooliganism, i.e. deliberate brutal violation of the public order manifested in express disrespect to the society) of the RA Criminal Code. On November 11, 2013, M. Arakelyan was subjected to detention as a preventive measure, which on April 1, 2014 was replaced by a written agreement not to leave his place of residence and he was released after 4 months and 26 days in prison.
Sentenced to a fine in the amount of fifty times the fixed minimum wage 50,000 (fifty thousand) AMD and was found guilty of a crime under Article 258(1) of the RA Criminal Code. The Court of Appeal upheld the General Jurisdiction Court ruling of October 17, 2014. Later, by its ruling of May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The judgment entered into force.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
14. Shahen Harutyunyan
Charges: by completion of the preliminary investigation, on April 2, 2014, Shahen Harutyunyan a minor was charged with a crime under Article 258(4) (hooliganism committed by a group of persons by use of an object serving as a weapon, accompanied with resistance to a representative of the authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 4 (four) years’ imprisonment and by a court ruling found guilty of the crime under Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code. By application of Article 70 of the RA Criminal Code, the sentence imposed on Shahen Harutyunyan was applied conditionally with a probation period of 4 (four) years. The court also ruled to obligate Shahen Harutyunyan and his legal representative not to leave the place of their permanent residence by instructing the Alternative Punishments Unit of the Penitentiary Department under the RA Ministry of Justice to observe his behavior.
The Court of Appeal upheld the General Jurisdiction Court’s judgment of October 17, 2014. Later, on May 8, 2015, the RA Cassation Court ruled not to process the appeal. The
judgment entered into force.
On September 15, 2015, an appeal was filed with the ECtHR.
15. Hayk Kyureghyan
Date of arrest: June 12, 2014
Charges: Article 258(4) (hooliganism committed by use of an object serving as a weapon) and Article 316(2) (committing violence dangerous for life or health against a police officer) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 9 (nine) years’ imprisonment. By its judgment announced on September 15, 2015, the General Jurisdiction Court of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts, Yerevan, found Hayk Kyureghyan guilty of the crimes under Article 316(2) and Article 258(4) of the RA Criminal Code and sentenced him to 7 (seven) years’ imprisonment and 5 (five) years’ imprisonment under the Articles, respectively.
H. Kyureghyan was sentenced to 9 years’ under the partial summation of the imprisonment terms within the cumulative punishment procedure stipulated by Article 66 of the RA Criminal Code, imprisonment. With support of HCA Vanadzor,5 attorney Mushegh Shushanyan who was involved in the proceedings on October 23, 2015 and appealed on behalf of Hayk Kyureghyan the guilty verdict by the General Jurisdiction Court of First Instance of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan, RA of September 15, 2015.
16. Volodya Avetisyan
Date of arrest: September 20, 2013.
Charges: Article 34-178(2)(5) (swindling attempt committed for bribe), Article 178(2)(2 and 5) (swindling in large amounts committed for bribe) of the RA Criminal Code.
Sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment. By its ruling of July 17, 2014, the General Jurisdiction Court of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun administrative districts, Yerevan, found Volodya Avetisyan guilty of the crimes under Article 178(2)(2 and 5) and Article 34-178(2)(5) of the RA Criminal Code and sentenced him to 4 years’ imprisonment and 2-years-and-6-months imprisonment under the Articles, respectively. Under the terms of the cumulative punishment procedure stipulated by Article 66 of the RA Criminal Code, Volodya Avetisyan was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment. By its judgment above, the Court also ruled that the detention used as a preventive measure against Volodya Avetisyan should remain unchanged.
The court also ruled to exact from V. Avetisyan to the RA state budget his illegally gained 814,260 AMD equal to 2,000 USD. By its ruling of September 16, 2014, the RA Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the judgment of the first instance court and dismissed the appeal of the defense. The judgment was further appealed to the Cassation Court, which did not admit the appeal. The judgment entered into force. V. Avetisyan is serving his sentence at Vardashen penitentiary.
17. Vardan Petrosyan
Date of arrest: November 8, 2013
Charges: Article 242(3) of the RA Criminal Code i.e. breach of traffic rules or operation of vehicles, which by negligence caused the death of 2 or more persons.
Sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment and 2 years’ deprivation of his driving license. Starting from September 4, 2015, Vardan Petrosyan is serving his term in open regime.
