Hasn’t Head of Retirement Home abused its Residents?
08:07, April 1, 2013 | Press Release | Rights of Patients
On September 2012, www.hetq.am disseminated an article on “Patients with mental health issues are forced by the head to keep cattle”. The article specifically states, “Nver Hovhannisyan, head of Vardenis psychiatric facility, has placed the patients at highland Shorzha village and forced to keep cattle. Some of the cattle belong to the psychiatric hospital, while the remaining are either the head’s or his relatives’ cattle. Persons with mental health issues keep cows and sheep there, breed and milk them.”
In relation to the article, Helsinki Citizens’ assembly Vanadzor has submitted an inquiry to the RA Prosecutor General’s Office with a request to provide information whether a criminal case had been lodged over the fact, if defendants were involved, what were their names, surnames, and job positions.
A reply from RA Prosecutor General’s Office was received whereby informing that the inquiry was sent to the General Department on Combat against Organized Crime of the RA Police for case-related material compiling.
Pursuant to the inquiry from General Department on Combat against Organized Crime of the RA Police, a criminal case was filed based on the materials, and Nver Hovhannisyan, head of Vardenis psychiatric facility, was involved as defendant over the case.
On February 13, 2013 HCA Vanadzor sent an inquiry to the General Department on Combat against Organized Crime of the RA Police with information request on what accusation was brought up within the frames of the criminal case and in relation to whom it was initiated, and what preventive measures were applied in relation to each of the defendants.
On February 22, 2013, in response to HCA Vanadzor’s inquiry, the General Department on Combat against Organized Crime of the RA Police notified that the court proceedings over the criminal case were terminated due to lack of crime.