Detainee suicide sparks debate in Armenia ahead of election

A man from the Armenian town of Artashat committed suicide in a psychiatric ward while in police custody on Saturday. He had been detained on suspicion of tearing down an election poster.

According to a police report cited by local outlet Factor, the man, Armen Hovhannisyan, was detained on suspicion of obstructing campaigning, a criminal offense, but had not been formally charged. Following signs of unstable behavior, he was taken by ambulance to a psychiatric facility in Yerevan while still in detention, accompanied by police. Later that day, he took his own life by hanging at the facility. Authorities told local media that a criminal probe has been launched into the incident.

Armenia’s ombudsperson Anahit Manasyan addressed the incident on Sunday, calling for an immediate and thorough investigation.

“It is concerning that the incident involved a detained person, for whom the state bears responsibility to ensure their safety and care appropriate to their health condition,” she said.

Manasyan added that she will seek clarification on all circumstances of the case, including what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The case sparked significant political debate online. While police have not disclosed which political force’s poster was allegedly vandalized, some commentators have assumed the detention would not have occurred unless it involved a ruling Civil Contract party poster – something that has not been confirmed.

In a comment to CivilNet, veteran human rights activist Artur Sakunts, head of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor (HCAV), said tearing down an election poster is not a criminal offense.

“The actions of the police were clearly unlawful. They had no right to detain him,” he said, adding that the state bears responsibility for ensuring the right to life. Sakunts also said an investigation should be launched into possible negligence by hospital staff, as well as the actions of the police. He noted that the facility in question is a civilian hospital that operates a small, isolated ward for detainees with mental health issues.

Sakunts added that fatal incidents in psychiatric institutions remain a serious issue in Armenia and a major concern for human rights organizations. However, he noted that this particular case has drawn attention largely due to its political context and timing ahead of the June 7 election, whereas similar incidents and systemic issues in mental health facilities are never present in political discourse.

“None of the parties in this election have addressed the issue of fatal incidents in psychiatric facilities. Yet this tragic case, which is clearly a criminal matter, is being politicized,” he told CivilNet, criticizing what he described as a selective approach to human rights by both the authorities and the opposition.