Arrested or in prison in Armenia
This guide provides information about being arrested in Armenia and what conditions are like in prison there.
Contacting the British Embassy Yerevan
The British Embassy in Armenia can offer help but will not be able to get you out of prison or get you special treatment because you’re British. Find out what help the embassy or consulate can offer on arrested or detained abroad.
Family and friends can contact:
- the British Embassy Yerevan in Armenia
- the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Vazgen Sargsyan 2
Kamar Business Centre, 8th floor
Yerevan 0010
Armenia
Telephone: +374 10 264301
Finding a lawyer and translator
You should carefully consider getting a local Armenian lawyer. Discuss all costs with them in advance. Prisoners Abroad has information on appointing a lawyer and legal aid, although this information is not specific to Armenia.
Private lawyers – check the list of local English-speaking lawyers if you want to appoint your own private lawyer. Ask the British Embassy Yerevan if you need a paper copy.
Court-appointed lawyers – if you do not appoint your own private lawyer you can ask for a court-appointed lawyer.
Find a translator or interpreter – you may need a translator to help you read Armenian documents about your case. Do not sign any documents unless you understand them. You might need an interpreter to help you communicate with your lawyer or at your trial, or for prison visits. Search for an English-speaking translator or interpreter in Armenia.
What happens when you’re arrested in Armenia
You can be arrested and taken to a local police station:
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because of an existing arrest warrant
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where there are grounds for issuing an arrest warrant
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if you’re caught in the act of performing a crime
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if it’s expected you’ll leave the country to escape justice
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if your identity cannot be confirmed
The police must tell you in English (or a language you understand):
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why you’ve been arrested
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that initial proceedings against you have started
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your rights
Do not sign any documents unless you understand them — you must be given an interpreter if you ask for one.
You have the right to:
- remain silent
- refuse to cooperate in the proceedings
- appoint a defence lawyer of your choice or ask for the help of a duty defence lawyer
- ask for an interpreter
- tell your next of kin you have been arrested
- tell the British embassy or consulate you have been arrested
Once you have been arrested you will be taken to the relevant police station. You should be given the opportunity to contact the British Embassy. The police officers will confirm the charges against you.
You can be held at the police station for up to 72 hours by law. After this time you will either be released or taken to one of the Criminal Executive Institutions near Yerevan, normally Nubarashen or Vartashen Prison.
If you are male you will then be moved to one of the Criminal Executive Institutions near Yerevan or in some cases out of town, depending where the crime took place. Normally, you will be taken to either Nubarashen or Vartashen prisons.
If you are female, you will be taken to Abovyan Women’s Prison. You will be in quarantine for a maximum period of 7 days.
After 7 days, at all establishments, family and friends can visit. If you have a SIM card, which may also be available for sale from some of the internet providers, you can call your relatives and arrange a time for them to visit you.
You may be put on remand if you’re strongly suspected of committing an offence. This means you’ll be put in prison while you wait for the criminal investigation and trial to finish.
Arriving at prison
You’ll be put in a temporary cell when you arrive at prison. You’ll have your photo taken and get a prisoner number. You’ll be asked to give details, such as your:
- name, date of birth and nationality
- home address
- medical conditions or allergies
- religion, marital status and profession
- name and address of next of kin
Your next of kin will not be told you’re in prison unless you give your permission.
You will remain in your initial cell for up to 7 days. You will receive a general medical check. If you are suffering from any injuries, you will be given medical help and if the injuries have been sustained whilst in custody, then they will be reported and an investigation will start.
If necessary, you will be assessed by a psychologist. You will be given information about what you can and cannot do whilst in prison and whether you have the right to contact family and friends (for example if you have been arrested along with family members or friends you will not be able to have contact with them).
A photo will be taken for identity purposes.
Tell the prison if you want the British embassy or consulate to know you’re in prison.
A doctor will give you a check-up within the first few days of being in prison. It might include x-rays and blood tests. Tell the doctor about any medical conditions you already have. The doctor will decide if you need a special diet or any other medical treatment. Contact the British embassy or consulate if you need help getting your medical notes from the UK.
The prison must tell you your rights and responsibilities. Ask if they have a copy of these in English. Speak to your prison social worker or a prison guard if you have any questions.
Visits from family or friends
Check FCDO travel advice before travelling to Armenia for the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
You or your family or friends can ask your lawyer, or the prison directly, about the rules.
The number of visits you are allowed depends on the crime committed. For less serious crimes, immediate family can agree on visiting times.
Visiting rules may change if there is a court decision to restrict visits only to your legal adviser and consular staff.
Normally, pre-trial prisoners are allowed 2 visits per month in Armavir prison, and 1 visit per month in Vardashen.
If you are convicted, depending on the crime and the length of the sentence, spouses and children (where the relationship can be proven by marriage certificate or birth certificates) are able to stay in a family area in the prison for up to 3 days once every 1 or 2 months.
Lawyers and consular staff can visit you as many times as necessary, and at any time of day.
Visits take place in rooms intended for short-term and long-term meetings without glass between you and your visitors. Short-term visits are up to 4 hours, while long-term visits can take up to 3 days. Both short-term and long-term visits are arranged on weekdays from 10am to 5pm.
The number of visits is agreed for the entire year and varies, depending on your sentence. This means you can choose to have more visits over a short period of time or have them spaced out more evenly.
Visits are scheduled in advance. Visitors must bring identification with them. Short visits are supervised by prison staff.
During long-term visits, the Office of the Correctional Facility may carry out inspections to check on your conduct. These inspections should not violate your dignity or your right to rest and sleep.
In all establishments visitors can bring bedding, clothes, books, food (apart from raw foods, such as meats). Non-recording electronic devices — such as DVD players, games consoles, microwaves — must be agreed in advance with the prison.
There is a list of items prohibited by law which will be provided by the prison. If any of these items are brought by visitors, they will be either confiscated or returned to the visitor. No glass jars or sharp items are allowed.
During these routine visits you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues, such as health, security concerns, your treatment in prison and any other general issues you wish to raise.
At each consular visit our staff will complete a Visit Report Form. We will only disclose information to your next of kin with your permission.
You can write to us at any time about issues you’re concerned about. If it is urgent, it may be quicker to ask prison authorities to contact us on your behalf.
Money, letters and packages
The British embassy or consulate does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.
There are 2 ways you can receive financial assistance while in prison:
- private funds: deposited to you by your family or friends
- Prisoners Abroad: depending on where you are detained, if your family cannot support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials (enough for 1 hot meal a day)
The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners. Family or friends can send you money by bank transfer. They cannot send you cash in the post. Ask the prison authorities for the bank account information for your family or friends to use.
Mail can be sent and received. All mail will be x-rayed and opened if deemed necessary. Any prohibited items will be removed. Letters are not routinely opened and read and, if you want, you can mark them confidential.
How to make a complaint about mistreatment
The British Embassy Yerevan can help if you have been mistreated or abused – it will take all complaints seriously. Tell us first if you decide to make a complaint. We will ask your permission before taking any action.
If you have been mistreated, inform consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and explain any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider.
With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible take photos of your injuries.
According to prison officials you can write a complaint to anyone you wish. You can take it up with the prison authorities in the first instance if you wish or you can inform a lawyer or family member and request that they raise the issue. Abovyan prison will provide the stationery and pay for the postage. You can also raise the issue with the British Embassy in writing or during one of our consular visits.
Your investigation and trial in Armenia
The Armenian justice system is inquisitorial. There is no jury. Judges have the responsibility of carrying out a detailed assessment of all the facts about your case. Their final decision will be based on these findings. The trial starts when the investigation is finished. Formal pleas of guilty or not guilty do not exist in Armenian trials. The defendant or lawyer also does not make an opening statement.
The British Embassy Yerevan cannot interfere with the Armenian judicial system. It cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.
The Judiciary of Armenia interprets and applies the laws of Armenia. The judiciary exercises judicial power separately from the legislative power of Parliament and executive power of the Prime Minister. According to the Constitution, it is regulated by the Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia.
The Ministry of Justice of Armenia is a government agency which possesses executive authority and executes policies of the Government of Armenia in sectors that are closely associated with laws and regulations.
Main rights of prisoners
The main rights of prisoners are defined in Article 13 of Armenian law. You have the right to:
- receive written and oral information in your native language or in another language that you understand about your rights and responsibilities, the procedures and conditions of arrest or detention, the procedures for submitting applications and complaints, as well as receiving information about your status, except for data that is confidential defined by law
- receive respectful attitude towards you by the administration of the detention centre
- be informed about applications and complaints regarding violation of rights, either personally or through a lawyer, defender or legal representative, to be able to address the administration of the detention centre, their superior bodies, the court, the prosecutor’s office, the human rights defender of the Republic of Armenia, state and local self-government bodies, public associations and parties, mass media, as well as international bodies or organisations for the protection of human rights
- receive health care, including adequate food, medical care, psychological, psychotherapeutic support, as well as being examined by a doctor of your choice at your own expense
- receive social security
- receive legal assistance
- be ensured of personal safety
- have freedom of thought, conscience and religion, political or other views
- have means of communication with the outside world
- have the right to rest, including outdoor walks or exercise and 8 hours of night sleep, during which it is prohibited to involve you into judicial or other procedures, except for the cases provided for by the Code of Criminal Procedure
- be called by your name or surname
- apply for a personal admission to the head of the detention centre or to the bodies exercising supervision and control over their activities
- possess documents and records related to criminal proceedings or the protection of your rights and legal interests, except for documents that contain state or other secrets protected by law
- participate in civil society activities
You also have the right to:
- get an education and engage in creative work
- work
- purchase food and essential items from the detention centre store or through the administration
- receive and send money
- obtain an identification card
If your rights are violated, you can call the Armenian human rights defender (116) or the hotline number for the Armenian Government (117). You can also submit a written application and appeal a decision made against you in a court of law.
All prisoners who enter the prisons of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia are familiarised with their rights and responsibilities, as well as with the institution’s internal regulations, in a language they understand.
There are Russian, Georgian, Persian and English copies of the main rights and responsibilities of prisoners, which are posted in visible places.
The following penalties can be applied to prisoners:
- a warning
- a reprimand
- the right to use telephone or video calls can be taken away for a period of up to 1 month
- the right to have visits can be taken away for a period of up to 1 month
- transfer to a punishment cell for a period of up to 15 days
The following incentives may be applied to a prisoner for good behaviour:
- acknowledgement of the good behaviour
- increasing the length of exercise period to 3 hours for a period of up to 20 days
- withdrawal of previously imposed penalties
- ending the sentence early
If you’re found guilty you’ll be given a sentence. Your sentence will depend on how serious the crime is. Your lawyer can tell you what or how long your sentence might be.
Sentences can include:
- time in prison
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fines
- suspended sentence (a punishment outside prison during which you might need to meet certain conditions, for example do unpaid work, or you will be sent to prison)
Prison conditions in Armenia
There are 10 prisons in the Republic of Armenia:
- Nubarashen
- Vanadzor
- Vardashen
- Yerevan-Center
- Goris
- Artik
- Sevan
- Abovyan
- Armavir
- a hospital for prisoners
Prisons consist of security zones. Each facility consists of 3 detention zones. The types of security zones are high, medium and low. Safety zones have strict and moderate conditions.
Armavir prison, for example, opened in 2015. There is a library, arts and craft room, gym area and games facilities. Prisoners can work in the kitchen or take part in general maintenance works. There is a room for prisoners to contact their relatives via video call, funded by the Red Cross.
Both Nubarashen and Vartashen are located on the same road on the outskirts of Yerevan. The facilities are basic and some areas suffer from damp.
Goris prison is located 4 hours outside Yerevan. The building is over 200 years old, with high ceilings and archways.
Juvenile convicts serve their sentence in a separate jail, where special rehabilitation conditions are provided for them, aimed at ensuring normal physical, mental and social development while protecting them from the negative influence of adult convicts.
Telephone calls
In Nubarashen there are restrictions on telephone calls, depending on the crime you have been convicted of or charged with. If you are allowed to make calls there will be a schedule which you will need to follow.
In Vartashen, Armavir and Abovyan, family or friends must provide you with an opportunity to call and you are able to make calls of up to 15 minutes (depending on the call schedule). The prison prioritises contact with family and is willing to be flexible, where possible.
In Goris, free calls are allowed according to the schedule. All requests within reason are agreed.
Medical and dental treatment
Your basic medical needs must be met while you’re detained in Armenia. Armenia is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. Medical care providers in Armenia must provide emergency first aid to any person, including a foreign national, regardless of their ability to pay.
All prisons have medical centres and Vartashen has a small hospital on the premises. Dental treatment is available.
At Abovyan prison you can also pay for your personal doctor to attend. If needed, you can be taken to a general hospital for treatment under security supervision, kept until recovery is possible from within prison hospital wards.
With your permission, the British Embassy can make sure that any medical or dental problems you might have are brought to the attention of any police or prison doctor. The Embassy can also contact your GP in the UK if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records.
Speak to the prison guards or your social worker if you need medical or dental treatment. The doctor might not visit every day in smaller prisons, so submit the request as soon as possible. Prison doctors are often similar to UK GPs. If you have an unusual or complex condition you might be referred to a specialist outside the prison.
Existing conditions
The British embassy or consulate can try to make sure the prison knows about any medical or dental issues you have if you want it to. It can also talk to your UK GP to help get your medical records sent to the prison. You might be transferred to a hospital with a police guard if your condition cannot be treated in prison.
Drug and alcohol addiction
Regarding discovery and/or use of drugs in prisons of the Republic of Armenia, during 2022 the average number of prisoners was 2258, and after the amendment of the RA Criminal Procedure Code from 30 June 2022, only 44 cases were discovered.
Tobacco cigarettes are available in all prisons and prisoners are able to smoke freely. The prison shops stock cigarettes. If you are caught with drugs then the substance will be confiscated and there will be an investigation.
In Vardashen there are smoking and non-smoking sections of the prison cells.
Mental health care
Talk to the prison psychologist or doctor as soon as possible if you feel you need treatment for your mental health, for example, if you have depression or anxiety. The prison may be able to make recommendations about adjustments for psychological issues.
Emergency trips outside prison
You can apply for an emergency trip outside prison within Armenia if an urgent matter comes up that cannot be postponed, like a funeral or critical illness of a relative. In the case of the death or life-threatening illness of a family member, short-term trips may be possible for up to 7 days. The 7 days do not include travelling time. However, total travelling time (to and from the prison) should not be longer than 2 days.
Whether you are allowed to visit your family in the case of emergency depends on the Rehabilitation Assessment Committee and the head of the prison. Your behaviour, the crime and your sentence will be taken into account.
Food and diet
In all prisons food is served 3 times a day. There is some provision for special diets. Family and friends are also able to bring in up to 70kg of food items per month but this needs to be pre-cooked or non-perishable. Any dietary requirements will be dependent on a doctor’s certificate.
Showers and hygiene
All prisons of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia are provided with communal bathrooms, with the exception of Armavir prison where the cells are provided with individual bathrooms. By law, you are allowed at least 15 minutes to shower.
Bathrooms and toilets in all prisons are in satisfactory condition. Repairs are carried out regularly according to the annual maintenance programme. Toiletries for prisoners are provided at the expense of the state, but they can also purchase them at their own expense.
Work and study
Most Armenian prisons have some English-language books and magazines in their libraries.
In Nubarashen there is no opportunity to work for payment, however if you are willing to work you can help with domestic chores. You can receive books for personal study.
In Vardashen there is a library with a number of books in different languages. You are also able to receive books for personal study. Depending on the crime committed, you will be classed as an open or closed prisoner. If you are a fully open prisoner, you will be able to work outside under agreement – you must return to the prison by 8pm each day. If you are a closed prisoner then, also dependent on the crime, you may be able to work in the kitchen. You will be paid a monthly salary of up to AMD 50,000 (approximately £100).
In Abovyan there are numerous opportunities for work, depending on the crime committed. There is a small factory producing pasta and other areas which have facilities to produce art, carpets and clay products. There is a school where children under 16 can attend.
In Armavir there is an arts and craft room, a library, and an IT room where you can do long-distance learning courses. Prisoners can also work in the kitchen and help with cleaning and maintenance in each section of the prison.
In Goris there is a library where prisoners can request books or read on premises. Prisoners Abroad might be able to send some reading material, language textbooks and dictionaries.
Religion
Priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church regularly make visits and you can arrange to meet them if you want to. Priests also perform baptisms, liturgies and other celebrations. You can also ask to see a representative of another religious organisation that is registered in the Republic of Armenia.
Getting a passport
Make sure your British passport is still in date. Contact the British embassy or consulate before you’re released if you need an emergency passport for your journey home.
Useful Armenian words and phrases
Important phrases
I would like to see a doctor – Yes ktsankanayi aytselel bzhshki
I would like to visit a social worker – Yes ktsankanayi aytselel sotsialakan ashkhatoghi
I would like to contact the consulate – Yes uzum em kap hastatel hyupatosarani het
I would like to contact my lawyer – Yes uzum em kap hastatel im pastabani het
Numbers
1 – mek
2 – yerku
3 – yereq
4 – chors
5 – hing
6 – vets
7 – yot
8 – oot
9 – inny
10 – tas
11 – tasnmek
12 – tasnerku
13 – tasnereq
14 – tasnchors
15 – tasnhing
16 – tasnvets
17 – tasnyot
18 – tasnoot
19 – tassninny
20 – qsun
21 – qsunmek
35 – eresun hing (30 and 5)
40 – qarasoon
50 – hisoon
100 – haryur
250 – erku haryur hisoon
500 – hing haryur
1000 – huzur
Food
Apple – khndzor
Meat – mees
Milk – kut
Banana – bunun
Fruit – meerg
Rice – breendz
Vegetables – bandjareghen
Bread – huts
Tea – chay
Hungry – sovats
Water – joor
Coffee – soorch