Armenian Man Detained Over Election Poster Removal Dies by Suicide in State Mental Health Facility

A man was arrested after allegedly removing an election campaign poster during Armenia’s ongoing parliamentary election campaign and later died by suicide after being transferred to the National Center for Mental Health while under state supervision, according to Armenian authorities.

The man, identified as Armen Hovhannisyan, had been detained in connection with the removal of the campaign poster as political parties across Armenia continue campaigning ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections. Armenia’s Investigative Committee said a criminal proceeding had been launched under Part 1 of Article 211 of the Criminal Code, which concerns obstructing campaign activities or forcing a person to participate or refuse participation in campaign activities. Officials confirmed, however, that no formal charges had yet been filed against him before his death.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Hovhannisyan was being held at the detention facility of the Artashat Division of the Community Police. Authorities stated that on the morning of May 16, officers noticed what they described as mentally unstable behavior, after which an ambulance was called to the detention facility.

The ministry said the ambulance doctor recommended transferring Hovhannisyan to the National Center for Mental Health in Nubarashen. He was then transported to the facility under police escort.

Armenia’s Ministry of Health later confirmed that the detained citizen had been admitted to the mental health center following a police decision. According to the ministry, he underwent an initial examination by specialists and received medical prescriptions after arriving at the institution.

“Unfortunately, a completed act of self-harm took place within a very short period of time. The medical staff immediately responded to the situation and carried out the necessary emergency measures, but unfortunately, it was not possible to save the patient’s life,” the Ministry of Health stated.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that at 6:07 p.m. on May 16, Armenia’s 112 Operational Management Center received a report from the Nubarashen Mental Health Center stating that Hovhannisyan had died by suicide by hanging.

Following the incident, the Investigative Committee announced that a separate criminal proceeding has now been launched into the circumstances surrounding the suicide.

The death has raised serious public questions regarding detainee treatment, mental health supervision, and suicide prevention measures inside state institutions.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, Anahit Manasyan, also issued a statement regarding the case, stressing that individuals placed in mental health institutions are under the direct care and protection of the state.

“Persons in mental health institutions are under the special care and protection of the state, therefore such cases raise the most serious questions regarding the protection of the right to life, proper supervision, and the implementation of effective suicide prevention mechanisms,” Manasyan stated.

She also emphasized that the incident involved a detained individual deprived of liberty, making the state responsible for ensuring the person’s safety and appropriate care.

“It is also concerning that this involves a person deprived of liberty, for whom the state bears responsibility to ensure safety and care appropriate to their health condition,” the Ombudsperson stated.

Manasyan called for an immediate, effective, and comprehensive investigation into all circumstances surrounding the incident and said her office will request clarifications from the relevant authorities.

Authorities have not yet released further details regarding how the suicide occurred or what specific supervision measures were in place at the facility at the time of the incident.

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