Human rights defenders pointed to the authorities' responsibility in the death of Arsen Gevorgyan.

Authorities are responsible for the condition of people in custody, human rights defenders stated, commenting on the death of the arrested representative of "Strong Armenia" Arsen Gevorgyan. They noted that the arrested and convicted face the impossibility of receiving qualified medical assistance, and detention is used unjustifiably broadly.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on November 10, Arsen Gevorgyan (also referred to in the media as Gevorkyan - note from "Caucasian Knot"), a candidate from the opposition party "Strong Armenia" for the head of the Stepanavan community, died in the Yerevan detention center "Nubarashen". He was arrested on October 21 on charges of bribing voters, which he denied. According to preliminary reports, the cause of death was a heart attack, while the party placed the responsibility for what happened on the initiators of the criminal prosecution of opposition members. Previously, he had not complained about his health.

The death of Arsen Gevorgyan raised questions about the use of detention and the state of medical assistance in Armenia's penitentiary institutions. Human rights defenders call for a comprehensive investigation and do not rule out the responsibility of state structures.

The Ministry of Justice reported on the investigation into Gevorgyan's death

Following the death of Arsen Gevorgyan, the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case, and a forensic examination is to be conducted to establish the circumstances and causes of death, said Armenian Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan at a briefing. According to her, "during his time in the correctional institution, Arsen Gevorgyan did not complain about his health."

According to Galyan, in 2025, 20 inmates died in Armenia's penitentiary institutions, and in 2026, along with Arsen Gevorgyan - four. The minister added that "unfortunately, similar incidents occur both worldwide and in penitentiary institutions."

A human rights defender called for establishing the authorities' responsibility for Gevorgyan's death

Co-founder of the constitutional movement "Njhar", human rights defender Nina Karapetyants believes that "the circumstances of Arsen Gevorgyan's case may indicate political persecution."

"For such an assessment, it is necessary to consider not only the grounds for criminal prosecution but also the methods of detention, treatment of the individual, as well as the demonstrative dissemination of videos of the detention. It is important to consider when a person begins to be persecuted, in connection with which political processes, and what methods are used for detention. Violations of legal and ethical norms in the actions of state bodies should also be taken into account," Karapetyants told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

She also emphasized that the death of Arsen Gevorgyan must be thoroughly investigated, adding that "depending on the established circumstances, responsibility may involve the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, the leadership of the penitentiary institution, and the judiciary.

"In a broader sense, the responsibility for Gevorgyan's death lies with the current authorities," Karapetyants stated.

She believes it is necessary to clarify whether "Gevorgyan's health condition was taken into account when choosing the measure of restraint, whether he received timely medical assistance, and whether all necessary measures were taken to prevent death." The human rights defender does not rule out that "the deterioration of his condition could be related to improper treatment, psychological or physical pressure, therefore, a thorough investigation is necessary."

At the same time, she expressed doubt about the current authorities' readiness to ensure a full investigation if it could reveal the responsibility of state structures.

"I do not believe that such cases receive a full investigation under the authority during whose rule a person's death occurred. Authorities are generally reluctant to acknowledge their own responsibility and identify possible guilt among their representatives. Such cases tend to be uncovered only under subsequent authorities," Karapetyants stated.

The use of detention is often excessive

Human rights defender Arthur Sakunts, commenting on the death of Arsen Gevorgyan and the need to investigate its circumstances, pointed to the excessively broad practice of using detention in Armenia, which has been repeatedly noted by the Council of Europe.

According to him, it is necessary to determine whether the court considered the possibility of applying alternative measures of restraint and how justified the decision to arrest Gevorgyan was. At the same time, the mere fact of criminal prosecution should not automatically imply the necessity of detaining a person. The main question is the proportionality of the chosen measure of restraint to the specific circumstances of the case, regardless of whether the person is a political figure or an ordinary citizen, Sakunts believes.

He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of death. It should be established how timely and qualitatively medical assistance was provided, whether safety requirements were met in the penitentiary institution, and whether possible inaction by state bodies led to the tragedy, he told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

In the opinion of the human rights defender, the investigation should establish all the circumstances of what happened and determine whether the state bears legal responsibility for the death of the person.

Detention should not become a punishment before a verdict is reached

The head of the public organization "Journalists for Human Rights" Zhanna Aleksanyan believes that the responsibility for the death of Arsen Gevorgyan should be the subject of a thorough investigation. According to her, the state is obliged to ensure safety, proper conditions of detention, and timely medical assistance to people in custody.

"Detention should not become a punishment before a verdict is reached. It is necessary to clarify the conditions in which Arsen Gevorgyan was held, what medical assistance he received, and how timely the response was to possible health problems. Even if a person did not complain, this does not absolve the state of responsibility for his life and health. The state is obliged to care for their health, provide proper conditions of detention, and timely medical assistance. This directly follows from the state's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights," the human rights defender told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

What is happening in Armenia is also related to an atmosphere of impunity, hostility, and hatred towards the opposition. It is particularly alarming that such a case occurred with an opposition figure.

Commenting on Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan's statement about the absence of complaints from the inmate, Aleksanyan regarded it as "an attempt to preemptively absolve state bodies, and herself personally, of responsibility."

"I have been defending the rights of convicts and detainees for many years and know well what happens in penitentiary institutions. The assertion of the absence of complaints raises questions; even if a person did not file complaints, this does not relieve the state of the obligation to monitor his health. Many inmates call me, telling about their condition. Overall, the situation with medical assistance in places of detention raises serious concern. People are essentially left alone with their problems, facing indifference. In some cases, to achieve a doctor's visit, inmates go on hunger strikes for a month or more. I believe that what is happening in Armenia is also related to an atmosphere of impunity, hostility, and hatred towards the opposition. It is particularly alarming that such a case occurred with an opposition figure. That is why the investigation into Arsen Gevorgyan's death must be conducted under strict control. It is necessary to thoroughly examine all circumstances, closely monitor the progress of examinations, and check every possible version of what happened. Nothing should be overlooked," the human rights defender emphasized.