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The tense relations between convicts of “Hrazdan” Penitentiary Institution D. Kh. and G. A., with whom he was sharing the cell, escalated to an argument, which, instead of being settled by the officers of the penitentiary institution, was “settled” by Andranik Hayrapetyan, who enjoys authority in the penitentiary institution and, as defined by the convicts, is a “kingpin”, and his supporters.

In the framework of the criminal case initiated in connection with the incident, charges were pressed against the two convicts who had a brawl.

Here are some noteworthy extracts from the indictments:

As can be noticed from the indictment issued on May 29, 2018, the convicts were always in tense relations as D. Kh. always suggested G. A. playing card games, but received a rejection. One of such incidents escalated to a brawl.

Earlier, conditioned by the created situation, G. A. applied to the management of the penitentiary institution with regard to the issue of being transferred to another cell. However, at the urging of the management, he asked to reverse the course of the application and had to live with D. Kh. in the same cell.

On the day of the brawl, according to the indictment, the penitentiary institution officers entered the cell first but did not undertake anything until crime lord A. Hayrapetyan showed up. The latter urged the penitentiary institution officers to leave, claiming that “he would handle the issue himself.”

A. Hayrapetyan not only assumed the authority to “resolve the issue” but also attempted to resolve it in favor of D. Kh., with whom he was in close relations. First, he isolated G. A. by taking him with his supporters into their cell at the pretext of listening to his reasons. Then, after the conversation with D. Kh., he entered the cell with him. Following this, he rebuked G. A. for arguing with his friend. And then, with the agreement of those present, D. Kh. hit G. A., causing him considerable bodily harm. Then, the others who were present continued the beating and did not pay attention to G. A. urging to stop the beating as he had got grave harm.

After the incident, G. A. was taken to hospital.

Despite the fact that A. Hayrapetyan, who is considered a crime lord, and his supporters participated in the dispute and the brawl as well, no charges were pressed against them. The previous practice of granting privileges to crime lords and declaring them as unpunishable continues existing in New Armenia as well.

On one hand, the penitentiary institution officers silently obey the rules of the criminal culture and the representatives of the criminal world. On the other hand, the law enforcers refrain from bringing them to the legal field.

In fact, the convict was subjected to beating by permission of the penitentiary institution officers, which is also recorded in the indictment.

Apart from that, the management of the penitentiary institution contributed to the creation of such a situation through their inaction or actions by not acting on the issue raised by the convict. Moreover, the management urged him to abandon the application.

It is noteworthy that a part about the actions of the penitentiary institution officers, in fact about their inaction, was separated from this criminal case; however, the entire issue lies in the fact that the obvious inaction of the penitentiary institution officers had a direct impact on the tension in the relations among the persons deprived of freedom. Instead of exercising their authority established by the law and undertaking measures aimed at preventing the possible tension, they use the institute of “a showdown” through “kingpins.”

The fact that the description of the events in the indictment has nothing to do with reality will be addressed during the proceedings. HCA Vanadzor is to carry out the defense of D. Kh.’s rights.