Teen Who Killed Police Officer in Yerevan Found Criminally Responsible

The 16-year-old Hrach Galstyan, accused of killing police officer Tigran Arakelyan, has been found criminally responsible, with his detention period extended by another two months. This information was confirmed by public defender Arthur Harutyunyan in a conversation with Sputnik Armenia.

Tigran Arakelyan was shot dead on the night of October 15-16, 2019, on Freedom Avenue in Yerevan while attempting to detain suspicious individuals along with a colleague.

“He spent three months at the National Center for Mental Health Preservation. Galstyan was transferred there on November 21 for a forensic psychiatric examination. According to the examination report, he has been found criminally responsible,” said Harutyunyan.

According to him, the teen has acknowledged his guilt but denied any intent to kill. He did not wish to take anyone's life.

Recall that police from the Arabkir division apprehended two brothers, born in 2003 and 2001, who had fled the scene on the night of October 16 on Freedom Avenue. One of them had seized a service pistol from one of the officers and fatally shot 38-year-old police officer Tigran Arakelyan. Law enforcement agencies later learned that prior to the murder, the brothers had committed theft at a beauty salon.