Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

Gurgen Harutyunyan – member of the RA Chamber of Advocates – alarms in his Facebook account that his defendant Artur Manuchayan is under illegal detention in Vanadzor penitentiary institution.   

Within the framework of hearings of the criminal case initiated against him back in 2013, Artur Manucharyan did not appear before the court during the court sessions. In 2014, on the basis of avoiding examination, the court replaced the preventive measure of signature on not leaving with detention and declared him wanted.

“Zvartnots” airport linear division police officers took wanted Artur Manucharyan upon his arrival at the Republic of Armenia at around 4 a.m. on February 7, 2019. He was then transferred to the RA Police Alaverdi division and then to “Vanadzor” penitentiary institution. 

Whereas, the Court took the decision on detaining him 5 years ago, on January 14, 2014, and in case of discovering wanted A. Manucharyan, transferring him to Vanadzor penitentiary institution  without the court’s decision is a violation of a person’s right to freedom enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights.

It is a fact that On February 7, 2019, Artur Manucharyan was not transferred to the court or released during 72 hours following his arrest. Moreover, after 72 hours he was still in the penitentiary institution. His defender’s application to release him was rejected by the head of Vanadzor penitentiary institution.