Yesterday, lawyer Zhanna Aleksanyan reported that the prisoners of Nubarashen prison were subjected to violence. The administration told the ombudsman’s representatives that no violence was used. On the assumption of the fact that the representatives had some doubts about this case they again visited Nubarashen prison and had a private talk with about 150 prisoners, entered about 20 cells to learn the situation place. Some of the prisoners confirmed that during the search they heard strange voices and thought that violence was used, the others either denied the fact, or avoid answering. Some prisoners told that the search was carried out by masked men and as a sign of protest they burnt the towels and threw them out of the windows. In fact, we can state that almost all prisoners confirmed the panic situation of yesterday evening. By the way, the residents of the building next to the prison also confirmed that they had heard strange voices from the prison.
Penitentiary administration also confirmed the information that yesterday evening there was a search but denied the rumors about possible violence.
To clarify the details of the incident and conflicting information, the Ombudsman, within a short term, expects to receive the records of yesterday’s searches, employees’ available explanatory notes and other relevant documents from the Ministry of Justice. It will be suggested to carry out an investigation to find out the truth as well.
