Situation is deplorable in prisons
Atrocities continue in prisons and other penal institutions, says Edmon Maroukyan, a member of public oversight group concerned with the situation in prisons.
He recalled a case when all the prisoners of a single cell were beaten in a Vanadzor prison with rubber batons and shields. The group immediately sent its findings to the Ministry of Justice and urged to take immediate actions to remedy the situation.
Nikolai Arustamyan, an advisor to the Ministry of Justice, slammed the group's activities, saying that its members are raising issues that are not under their jurisdiction.
"Do not forget that the group was created as an adjunct body to the minister," he said advising the reporters not to make the discussion public.
In response, head of the public oversight group Artur Sakunts took out his card and tried to find out any information certifying that the group was attached to the ministry.
"If it were true, I would not be included in the group," said Sakunts.
The ministry representative further accused the group of tactless behavior, saying they should have discussed their findings with the ministry.
Artur Sakunts urged the Ministry to study each and every case of torture separately.
The public oversight group is going to issue its annual report on the situation in penitentiary instructions in the nearest future.
