24 January 2014, 11:31
Vage Mkrtchyan, arrested during "Million Mask March", needs medical care, his wife reports
Shant Arutyunyan, the leader of the "Tsegakron" Party, who was arrested during the "Million Mask March", is still in the hospital for prisoners, where he was brought after 17 days of his hunger strike. This was reported by his wife Ruzanna Badalyan.
Let us remind you that on December 25, 2013, Shant Arutyunyan and several others of his arrested supporters went on hunger strike, since they were not allowed to be visited by their family members. On January 15, 2014, the ban was abolished, and they stopped their hunger strike.
Vage Mkrtchyan, one more protestor, who was arrested during the "Million Mask March", was also on hunger strike during the period from December 28 till January 11. During the period of his hunger strike, he was kept at the same cell as prior to the hunger strike, despite the fact that he was in need of medical assistance. This was told his wife Margarita Stepanyan.
According to her, only on January 10, Vage Mkrtchyan was transferred to a separate cell for one night. After he stopped his hunger strike, he was again transferred to a common cell and he was not provided with medical assistance.
During her husband's hunger strike, Margarita Stepanyan appealed to the Armenian Helsinki Association and to the Ombudsman's office. According to her, the Ombudsman has stated that the fact of violation of human rights had been recorded in his documents; however, they do not have the power to demand to transfer Vage to a separate cell.
Author: Armine Martirosyan Source: CK correspondent
