The Number of Young Soldiers' Deaths Considered a 'Secret'

The newspaper 'Jozghovurd' reports: 'The newspaper has sent an inquiry to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia to clarify how many suicide attempts and suicide cases have been recorded in the Ministry of Defense of Armenia from January 1 to August 13, 2026. Investigations into all cases are being conducted by the Investigative Committee.

The Investigative Committee responded that it is not possible to provide the information as it contains data pertaining to the ongoing investigation that cannot be disclosed, citing Article 8, Part 1, Clause 3 of the Law on Freedom of Information. However, we did not ask for names, details of the criminal cases, or about the circumstances under which the servicemen died or what hypotheses are being considered by the investigation. We only requested two numbers: how many suicide cases have occurred and how many suicide attempts have been made.

It is already known from the published official statements that in 2026, at least four cases of servicemen's deaths are being investigated by the Investigative Committee under the hypothesis of suicide or inciting suicide. In January, a criminal case was initiated regarding the death of Vahan Petrosyan under the charge of causing a serviceman's suicide through negligence. In April, proceedings were launched concerning the death of Narek Hakobyan under the charge of inciting a serviceman's suicide. In June, proceedings were also initiated regarding the death of Aramais Gevorgyan under the same charge. In July, two servicemen were arrested in connection with the death of Narek Torosyan, accused of causing his suicide through negligence.

These are the cases that have been made public. The overall number of deaths remains unknown because the Investigative Committee does not disclose it; perhaps the actual total is much higher. The question is simple: if the state can publish that in the case of a certain serviceman's death, the hypothesis of inciting suicide is being investigated, then why can't the same state disclose how many such cases have occurred within the year? Statistics do not constitute the confidential details of a criminal case.

‘Jozghovurd’ newspaper has also approached the Ministry of Defense for the same information. We have not yet received a response from the MOE. We are waiting.' For more details, refer to the newspaper's current edition.