ArmInfo. Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan is unable to ensure the normal operation of Armenia's penitentiary institutions, according to lawyer Zaruhi Postanjyan.
The lawyer emphasized that the agencies under the Minister of Justice's control, including detention facilities, are in an extremely dire state. Postanjyan noted that a comprehensive assessment of the functioning of detention facilities shows that the penitentiary institutions are in a dire, uncontrolled state. Specifically, she noted, they are overcrowded with prisoners. "Due to this, long lines have formed to enter the pretrial detention center. Yesterday, from 8:00 PM to 10:45 PM, I waited in line at the Yerevan-Kentron Penitentiary to meet with my client, Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan. All offices were occupied," the lawyer wrote on her Facebook page.
Furthermore, she claims that due to the gross violation of the law, she was unable to freely and immediately speak with her client in custody.
"Srbuhi Galyan is failing to do her job and is doing it poorly. The minister is unable to organize state powers and responsibilities aimed at justice. For those waiting for several hours, a waiting room must be created at the National Security Service of Armenia checkpoint you approved," the lawyer concluded.
As a reminder, Arnold Vardanyan, one of Gyumri Mayor Arnold Vardanyan's lawyers, previously stated that he was prevented from entering the Yerevan Kentron penitentiary and meeting with his client, despite possessing a written agreement issued by Vardan Ghukayan confirming his authority to represent the mayor. In this regard, he announced that the mayor's defense intends to appeal to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) and the UN Committee against Torture regarding the attempt to obstruct the lawyer's meeting with his client.
Eight Gyumri City Hall employees, led by Vardan Ghukasyan, were arrested on charges of large-scale bribery. Ghukasyan has been remanded in custody for two months. Later, human rights activist Ruben Mkhitaryan, a member of the "Po-Nashi" movement, was also arrested, along with about two dozen other citizens detained near the Yerevan City Hall on charges of "obstructing the actions of law enforcement agencies."
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