Suspected of Removing ‘Shishi Melo’s’ Range Rover from the Crime Scene Arrested

A resident of Abovyan has been charged in relation to a criminal case concerning violence against a representative of power, as well as obstructing the administration of justice and the investigation, according to the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

The individual has been remanded in custody. This pertains to an alleged assassination attempt against Melik Manukyan (known as Shishi Melo), with the vehicle at the crime scene being concealed by his bodyguard.

According to the Investigative Committee, on August 2, 2019, the alleged perpetrator attempted to conceal the ‘Range Rover’ vehicle, which contained traces of the crime, and to obstruct the investigation during the examination of the crime scene. Ignoring the lawful demands of officers of the Police of Armenia to refrain from getting into and moving the vehicle as part of securing the scene, he entered the aforementioned vehicle and drove it away in the direction of a police officer before fleeing.

A criminal case was initiated based on the characteristics of Article 316, Part 1, and Article 332, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code. During the pre-investigation phase, the identity of the alleged perpetrator was established, a 1976-born resident of Abovyan.

As a result of urgent investigative actions and operational measures, the suspect was located and arrested on suspicion of committing violence against a representative of power and obstructing justice and the investigation. The ‘Range Rover’ vehicle was also discovered.

Based on sufficient evidence gathered in the criminal case, he was charged under Article 316, Part 1, and Article 332, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code. The investigator submitted a request to the court for detention as a measure of restraint, which was granted. The pre-investigation is ongoing.