YEREVAN. – Hovhannes Harutyunyan—a wounded member of the Sasna Tsrer armed group which took over a police patrol regiment building, but later surrendered in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan in July—is in serious condition, and he needs emergency medical treatment, his attorney, Hayarpi Sargsyan, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Different doctors examined [him], who explain that he can’t be operated on, since his wounds have not yet healed,” noted Sargsyan. “On July 26, armed police patrolled at the intensive care unit of ‘Erebouni’ hospital, whose meaning we didn’t understand as well.

“A nurse asked them to leave, noting that they are not sterile. Hovhannes also asked that the police leave, but the police responded: ‘I’ll spit on you!’ Afterward, Hovhannes Harutyunyan was taken to the Prison Hospital.

“He was taken, thrown into a [prison] cell, where conditions are inhumane.”

The attorney also noted that she is being pressured since she is raising the matter of the room conditions of the Prison Hospital. 

Hayarpi Sargsyan added that the apathy, which exists with respect to Hovhannes Harutyunyan, is nonexistent regarding the other members of Sasna Tsrer.

Attorney Ara Gharagyozyan likewise noted that the Penitentiary Department disseminates misinformation in connection with Harutyunyan’s prison conditions.

Hovhannes Harutyunyan’s sister, Tamara Hovhannisyan, for her part, stated that political persecution is carried out against her brother, since he had made some statements to reporters while still at the aforesaid police patrol regiment building, and that these statements were not to the liking of the authorities.