Aram Karapetian Health Concerns

RFE/RL reports that concerns have emerged over the health of detained opposition party leader Aram Karapetian. Reportedly suffering heart problems, a doctor has warned that Karapetian is at risk from a heart attack or stroke and needs to be transferred to a hospital. However, the authorities do not accept that his health is so dire as to warrant transfer even if any worsening of his condition could look bad in the eyes of the international community.

Of even more concern given the circumstances is the continuing practice of prolonging pre-trial detention in lieu of sufficient evidence to take specific cases to court. Regardless of whether Karapetian’s condition is serious enough, the report implies that the authorities admit he has some health problems. Given doubts voiced by the international community over those detained, some might argue that the government cannot afford to make a mistake in such matters.

Armenian prosecutors moved on Thursday to prolong the pre-trial arrest of a prominent opposition leader allied to former President Levon Ter-Petrosian despite a doctor’s warning about his deteriorating health condition.

Armen Gasparian, a cardiologist who examined Aram Karapetian in prison, said the leader of the opposition Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) party will risk suffering a heart attack or stroke unless he is “immediately” hospitalized.

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A spokesman for a Justice Ministry department managing Armenia’s prisons insisted, however, Karapetian’s heart troubles are not grave and that he can receive medical treatment in the NSS’s basement jail downtown Yerevan. Arsen Babayan told RFE/RL that the department has nonetheless decided to form a special commission of its own medics and independent doctors that will look into Gasparian’s claims. Karapetian was already being examined by them on Wednesday evening, according to the official.

Photo: Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007