Charges Filed Against Three Individuals in Yerevan-Sevan Highway Explosion Case

The Investigative Committee of Armenia's Kotayk region continues to carry out active and urgent investigative actions, as well as operational-search measures, to clarify all circumstances of the explosion that occurred on the Yerevan-Sevan highway. Charges have been filed against three individuals.

As previously reported, explosive materials classified as military ammunition were pre-installed under the bridge located at the 15th kilometer of the Yerevan-Sevan highway and were detonated on August 2, 2019, around 12:30 PM, during the movement of M. Manukyan's 'Range Rover' and the accompanying 'Nissan' and 'Patrol' vehicles.

Following this incident, the Investigative Committee of Armenia's Kotayk regional investigative department initiated a criminal case under the second part of Article 34-104 (points 6) and Article 235 (first part) of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

During the preliminary investigation, several circumstances of the case were established, including the identities of three individuals suspected of committing the crime, one of whom is a resident of Shirak Province, born in 1974, while the other two are residents of Yerevan, born in 1963 and 1966.

Based on sufficient evidence, these three individuals have been charged under Articles 34-104 (parts 6 and 7) and 235 (second part) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The investigator has submitted a motion to the court to choose pre-trial detention as a measure of restraint for them.

The preliminary investigation is ongoing. Large-scale investigative actions and operational-search measures are being implemented to clarify all circumstances of the incident, identify any other individuals who may have been involved in the case, and to clarify and individualize the actions of each of them.

Information regarding procedural decisions made in the criminal case will be provided periodically.

Notice: A suspect or accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, through a legally binding court verdict.