20:00, 21 July 2009

Armenia: human rights activist put into overcrowded prison cell

A well-known human rights activist Mikael Danielyan, head of the Helsinki Association, complained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that custody conditions of Arshaluis Akopyan, an activist of the Association, are very hard.

"The cell, where Arshaluis was placed, has 12 beds for 16 inmates; they have to sleep in turn. I told about it to prison boss Afrikyan," said the human rights activist and expressed hope that the administration of the Corrective Facility "Nubarashen" would create normal conditions in the cell.

Mr Danielyan has added that Akopyan's state of health is satisfactory, and the prison personnel treat his rather politely.

He has also reported that the Helsinki Association lodged a claim to the Appeal Court with the aim to appeal against the decision of the first instance court of Yerevan community Centre-Nork-Marash, according to which Arshaluis Akopyan was arrested. According to Danielyan, the consideration of the claim will start in the near future; however, he could not tell the date.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan

Source: CK correspondent