Liana Harutyunyan, who is in pre-trial detention for allegedly assisting in organizing illegal migration, has been hospitalized with her eight-month-old daughter, according to a Facebook post by her lawyer, Zaruhi Postanjyan. Harutyunyan was placed in detention at Abovyan Penitentiary for failing to appear in court and has two other minor children.
Postanjyan reported that after spending a day in detention, the infant’s health deteriorated, prompting their transfer to a hospital. “The youngest detainee in Armenia—Liana Harutyunyan’s daughter—has already been through three detention environments under constant surveillance by uniformed officers: a courthouse cell, a prison cell, and now a hospital room under incarceration conditions,” she wrote.
The lawyer argued that the detention stems from Harutyunyan’s courtroom remarks, including: “You’ll be held accountable for what you've written about me and what you’re trying to pin on me. I’ll expose all your illegal actions.”
Postanjyan has filed complaints with the Yerevan Court of First Instance, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the European Court of Human Rights. She asserts that the detention violates several fundamental rights enshrined in both Armenia’s Constitution and international agreements, including the best interests of the child and the right to care, life, and health.
She also noted that guarantees have been prepared for Members of Parliament willing to request a change in Harutyunyan’s pre-trial measure.
Additionally, Postanjyan submitted a motion for an urgent court session to reconsider the original decision in light of changed circumstances and its alleged illegality.
On July 13, Postanjyan stated that the infant developed diarrhea in prison, causing skin irritation. She also said Harutyunyan lacked access to hot water to bathe the child due to inadequate prison conditions. Armenia’s Penitentiary Service denied the allegations.
