16:55, 14 February 2017

Health of Sargsyan, hunger-striking in Yerevan prison, gets worse

Arthur Sargsyan, accused of helping members of the "Sasna Tsrer" detachment, is unable to get out of his bed, but intends to continue his hunger strike in protest against his arrest, said the advocate Tigran Egoryan.

On July 17-31, members of the group "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun) created by supporters of the opposition movement "Constituent Parliament" captured the building of the police regiment in Yerevan. At night of July 26, Arthur Sargsyan broke through the police cordon around the building and delivered food for the rebels. The court pronounced the pre-trial restriction measure to Arthur Sargsyan. The activist is suspected of assistance in hostage-taking and illegal purchase and possession of weapons.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 9 the court changed Arthur Sargsyan’s recognizance not to leave for two-month custody. On February 10, Sargsyan went on hunger strike in protest against this decision, and on February 13, he refused to take any medical care.

"By this time, he’s unable to get out of bed; every time they take me to his ward. Given the illnesses my client has, the hunger strike is very risky for him," said Egoryan.

So far, no comments have been made by officials of the Penitentiary Service of the Armenian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) regarding the health condition of Arthur Sargsyan.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent