Armenia’s Penitentiary Service has stated that Arsen Gevorgyan, a 46-year-old opposition candidate who died in custody on November 10, had not reported any health complaints during his detention.
Penitentiary Service spokesperson Nona Navikyan said Gevorgyan became unwell early on Tuesday morning at Nubarashen prison, where he had been held since October 21, Radar.am reported.
According to Navikyan, a duty paramedic provided first aid before an ambulance was called at approximately 7:55 a.m. Medical personnel confirmed Gevorgyan’s death at around 8:30 a.m.
The Strong Armenia party, which had nominated Gevorgyan as its candidate for head of the Stepanavan community, blamed the authorities for his death. In a statement, the party accused the government of detaining him ahead of local elections on what it described as unfounded charges.
Gevorgyan was detained on October 21 alongside 13 others during searches at the party’s Stepanavan office. The following day, Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee announced that pretrial detention had been ordered for 10 of those arrested, including Gevorgyan.
The cause of his death has not been officially established.
