Opposition podcaster Narek Samsonyan faces serious health risks in detention, lawyer warns

Opposition activist and podcast co-host Narek Samsonyan is facing serious health risks while in detention, his lawyer has warned.

In a social media post on Friday, Ruben Melikyan said he had just met with his client and observed that his condition had worsened. “Political ptisoner Narek Samsonyan is experiencing a serious health problem, which, combined with the effects of his hunger strike, poses significant risks,” Melikyan said.

Samsonyan, who co-hosts the Imnemnimi podcast alongside Vazgen Saghatelyan, has been detained on hooliganism charges dismissed as politically motivated. Last week, a Yerevan court extended their pre-trial detention by three months, prompting Samsonyan to declare an indefinite hunger strike in protest.

Melikyan plans to discuss the matter with the prison’s medical service workers and will provide further details in a live broadcast later.