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PRISON WARDEN ACCUSED OF CRIME STILL EMPLOYED; PRISONERS AFRAID TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM - SOURCE
03.27.2015 18:08 epress.am
The deputy warden of "Hrazdan" penitentiary, Samvel Babayan, who is
involved as a suspect in a criminal case initiated by the Special
Investigative Service for selling cell phones in the prison, continues
to hold his position, Epress.am was told by sources in the prison.
Another accused prison staff member, Leonid Lazarian, is also still
employed.
According to the case material, "Nubarashen" penitentiary inmate
Armen Shamiryan had come to an agreement with Babayan in order to sell
cell phones in "Hrazdan" penitentiary. Shamiryan's family, friends,
and relatives bought the phones, while Samvel Babayan allowed their
entrance to the prison. The entire profit from the sale went to
Babayan, while Shamiryan had originally agreed to split the profit
50/50, however the deputy warden decided not to implement the original
agreement. Babayan is charged with abusing his official position.
Epress.am had written [ARM] about the incident back in September
12, 2014, however the Penitentiary Department Public Relations
Division Head Gor Ghlechyan had said that the deputy warden was being
slandared. Subsequently, the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly's Vanadzor
Office began dealing with the case, noting that the issue was related
to a nearly 5 million drams ($10,500) worth of cell phone sales.
Since initiating a criminal case, a dozens of witnesses have testified,
and a large number of witnesses are still to be questioned.
"Over 10 witnesses are still imprisoned, so they are afraid to give
testimonies against the deputy warden, who continues to hold his
position," our source in "Hrazdan" penitentiary said.
Speaking to Epress.am, lawyer Harutyun Baghdasaryan clarified that
the criminal judicial code does not legally demand that a suspect in
a criminal case be suspended from work, however, the that can be done
by the prosecutor.
"There are a few precedents that show the prosecutor can file such
motions. For example, if the prosecutor thinks that the suspect could
commit other crimes when not suspended from work or that the suspect's
continued employment could violate the witnesses' free expression,
then the prosecutor can engage in similar interventions, however he
is not required to,"Baghdasaryan explained.
http://www.epress.am/en/2015/03/27/prison-warden-accused-of-crime-still-employed-prisoners-afraid-to-testify-against-him.html
03.27.2015 18:08 epress.am
The deputy warden of "Hrazdan" penitentiary, Samvel Babayan, who is
involved as a suspect in a criminal case initiated by the Special
Investigative Service for selling cell phones in the prison, continues
to hold his position, Epress.am was told by sources in the prison.
Another accused prison staff member, Leonid Lazarian, is also still
employed.
According to the case material, "Nubarashen" penitentiary inmate
Armen Shamiryan had come to an agreement with Babayan in order to sell
cell phones in "Hrazdan" penitentiary. Shamiryan's family, friends,
and relatives bought the phones, while Samvel Babayan allowed their
entrance to the prison. The entire profit from the sale went to
Babayan, while Shamiryan had originally agreed to split the profit
50/50, however the deputy warden decided not to implement the original
agreement. Babayan is charged with abusing his official position.
Epress.am had written [ARM] about the incident back in September
12, 2014, however the Penitentiary Department Public Relations
Division Head Gor Ghlechyan had said that the deputy warden was being
slandared. Subsequently, the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly's Vanadzor
Office began dealing with the case, noting that the issue was related
to a nearly 5 million drams ($10,500) worth of cell phone sales.
Since initiating a criminal case, a dozens of witnesses have testified,
and a large number of witnesses are still to be questioned.
"Over 10 witnesses are still imprisoned, so they are afraid to give
testimonies against the deputy warden, who continues to hold his
position," our source in "Hrazdan" penitentiary said.
Speaking to Epress.am, lawyer Harutyun Baghdasaryan clarified that
the criminal judicial code does not legally demand that a suspect in
a criminal case be suspended from work, however, the that can be done
by the prosecutor.
"There are a few precedents that show the prosecutor can file such
motions. For example, if the prosecutor thinks that the suspect could
commit other crimes when not suspended from work or that the suspect's
continued employment could violate the witnesses' free expression,
then the prosecutor can engage in similar interventions, however he
is not required to,"Baghdasaryan explained.
http://www.epress.am/en/2015/03/27/prison-warden-accused-of-crime-still-employed-prisoners-afraid-to-testify-against-him.html