On 6 June 2026, the Public Monitoring Group visited Nubarashen Penitentiary under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, where members held confidential meetings with persons deprived of liberty and observed the conditions in detention cells. The Group also conducted a private meeting with Artur Osipyan, who stated that he had reasonable fears for his life and personal safety, which, according to him, stemmed from public political statements and his legal status at the time. It should be recalled that on 10 June 2026, the pre-trial detention measure imposed on Artur Osipyan was revoked, and he was released. In its written response, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia stated that throughout Artur Osipyan's detention, an individual risk assessment had been carried out and the necessary preventive measures had been taken to ensure his life, health, and personal safety. During the visit, the Group also met with detainees who were on hunger strike. The Group expressed particular concern that these detainees were being held in cells characterized by excessive humidity, low temperatures, unpleasant odors, and insufficient natural light. In its response, the Ministry stated that the hunger-striking detainees had been transferred to Cell 001 of the sixth housing unit, which is reportedly in good condition, equipped with natural and artificial lighting, located near a separate exercise yard, and free from signs of dampness. According to the Ministry, renovation works had been carried out in Cell 10 in 2025; however, moisture reappeared shortly afterwards. The Ministry attached photographs documenting the current condition. The Group also noted that detainee H.S., despite being on a hunger strike for approximately 26 days, continued to raise concerns regarding the lack of visits with his two minor children, stating that he had been unable to see them for several months. The Public Monitoring Group had previously addressed this issue in official communications to both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. According to the Ministry of Justice, following the detainee's request, the penitentiary administration sent an official letter on 10 June 2026 to the Syunik Regional Child and Family Support Center to explore possible arrangements for facilitating visits between H.S. and his minor children. The Public Monitoring Group also submitted additional concerns raised by other persons deprived of liberty and requested that the Ministry take appropriate measures to address them. On 16 June 2026, the Group received the official written response from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. The full version of the Ministry's response is available via the link provided in the original post. Mentions @подписчики Nikol Pashinyan / Նիկոլ Փաշինյան Government of the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Justice of Armenia Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Երևանում Եվրոպայի խորհրդի գրասենյակ European Union in Armenia Factor TV Media Center / Մեդիա կենտրոն Democracy Development Foundation Public Control NGO Dignity NGO Helsinki Citizens' Assembly–Vanadzor Social Justice NGO Access to Justice NGO /Armenia/ New Justice Culture
