Diminished the Honor and Dignity of the Soldier, Leading to Suicide: Investigative Committee

On March 11, 2023, around 13:15, a serviceman under mandatory military service, Artush Gevorgyan, was found dead at one of the border posts of the RA NSS Border Troops N military unit, with a fatal gunshot wound. According to reports received, there were no other armed servicemen present at the post or its vicinity at that time.

Following the incident, the Ninth Garrison Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case on the same day under part 1 of Article 522 of the RA Criminal Code, and an investigative group has been assigned to the preliminary investigation. Immediate investigative and procedural actions have been undertaken, including an examination of the scene, collection of necessary documents from the military unit, and instructions for conducting operational investigative measures have been provided to the investigation body. A number of expert examinations have also been appointed, and several individuals, including servicemen, have been interrogated.

The investigation has produced factual evidence indicating that another serviceman of the same military unit, identified as H.A., through non-statutory behavior, repeatedly diminished Artush Gevorgyan's personal honor and dignity, recklessly leading him to suicide.

Based on the obtained factual data, the supervising prosecutor issued a decision to initiate a public criminal prosecution against H.A., and charges have been presented against him under part 1 of Article 522 of the RA Criminal Code. H.A. was arrested for presentation to the court on March 15. A motion has been filed with the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Syunik Province to select the measure of restraint of detention against H.A., which was granted by the court's decision on March 16. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Notification: The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court judgment that has entered into legal force in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the RA.