Lawyer raises alarm over health and safety of jailed Gyumri mayor

The defense attorney for Vardan Ghukasyan, the mayor of Gyumri who was arrested last month on bribery charges, has expressed serious concerns over his health and safety while in detention.

In a statement issued on Friday, attorney Zaruhi Postanjyan reported being barred from entering the Yerevan-Kentron Penitentiary to meet with her client, accusing staff of violating her legal authority.

Postanjyan described Ghukasyan’s condition as “grave and dangerous”, adding it has worsened since new inmates were placed in his cell. She warned that his life and physical safety were at risk.

The lawyer claims that prison authorities, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan and other officials have refused to provide details about Ghukasyan’s detention conditions or cellmates. Requests for medical records have also been denied by Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan and Kamo Manukyan, head of the Penitentiary Medical Center SNCO, citing patient confidentiality.

Since November 8, authorities have prevented independent doctors from examining Ghukasyan despite threats to his life. Postanjyan has now publicly demanded that the chief prosecutor ensure her immediate and unrestricted access to her client.