Opposition podcaster Narek Samsonyan ends hunger strike

Narek Samsonyan, co-host of the Imnemnimi podcast, on Thursday ended his hunger strike after 14 days and was transferred from prison to Izmirlian Medical Center.

Samsonyan had launched the hunger strike earlier this month following a court decision on 9 January to extend his pre-trial detention by three months.

His lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, said doctors had warned Samsonyan of serious health risks linked to both his existing medical condition and the prolonged strike. “Taking into account the consequences, Narek decided to halt the hunger strike. I think it was the right decision, as we all were concerned about his condition,” Melikyan noted.

Samsonyan and his fellow podcaster Vazgen Saghatelyan were arrested on 13 November. Melikyan previously revealed that Samsonyan had been scheduled for surgery in December, but his detention exacerbated his health issues.