Victor Hovakimyan has been on a hunger strike in Armenia’s Nubarashen Penitentiary since December 20 after having been sentenced for murdering and robbing a citizen in the town of Kajaran in February 2021.

Hovakimyan has pleaded guilty to the robbery but denies killing anyone.

Mariam Hovakimyan says she recently visited her uncle in jail and that his health has seriously deteriorated since he went on hunger strike.

"I saw him two days ago. He looked very bad. He was pale and his hands were shaking. He has health problems. His life is in danger," Mariam Hovakimyan tells Hetq.

She says the sentence was appealed, but to no avail.  She claims the Appeals Court didn’t properly review her uncle’s case.

"My uncle admits that he committed a bad deed. He entered the citizen's house for the purpose of theft, but he has nothing to do with the murder. He didn’t kill anyone," says Mariam Hovakimyan.