The Independent Observer alliance has commented on the suicide recorded on May 16 at the Nubarashen psychiatric hospital, describing the case as deeply concerning.
The statement says that, at least based on publicly available information, “the preventive measure applied to the person and the charges brought against him were entirely unfounded and unlawful.”
“According to information received from media outlets, A.H. was taken to Armenia’s Investigative Committee for tearing down an election poster, which the Investigative Committee classified as obstructing campaigning, namely an act envisaged under Article 211, Part 1 of Armenia’s Criminal Code,” the statement said.
It notes that damaging an election poster constitutes an administrative offense under Article 40.11 of the Code on Administrative Offenses, carrying a maximum penalty of a 100,000-dram fine. Moreover, this fine applies when the campaign poster is placed in a designated area.
According to reports, while being held in a detention facility, A.H. displayed mentally unstable behavior and, following instructions from an emergency doctor called to the scene, was transferred to a mental health center, where he died by suicide hours later.
“The Independent Observer alliance considers the disproportionate and unlawful actions of law enforcement bodies, which led to the death of a person under the direct supervision of the state, deeply alarming and demands that Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and Investigative Committee conduct an immediate, effective and comprehensive investigation to reveal all circumstances leading to the death, provide legal assessment and hold accountable the officials responsible for the citizen’s death,” the statement said.
Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan also described the suicide at the Nubarashen Mental Health Center as deeply concerning, emphasizing the issue of state responsibility. She said she would request clarifications from the competent authorities.
