Man Sentenced for October 27 Case Dies Suddenly in Prison

Hamlet Stepanyan, an Armenian national sentenced to 14 years in prison in relation to the October 27, 1999 case, died suddenly on May 15 in the Nubarashen prison, Justice Minister of the Republic of Armenia informs.

The preliminary examination of Stepanya's body has not revealed any sign of violation on it. A forensic investigation is underway to find out the reason of his sudden death.

A group at the Justice Ministry that conducts public monitoring in the prisons has been notified about the incident and has been invited to take part in the examination.

The October 27, 1999 armed attack on the parliament by a group headed by Yerevan-based journalist Nairi Hunanyan left several high-ranking officials dead, among them also the then Chairman of the National Assembly Karen Demirchyan and Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and several others.