Celebration for Defense Ministry Officer's Son Ends in Stabbing: Details

According to SHAMSHYAN, on January 26, a call was received by the Vardenis Police Department from the Vardenis garrison hospital, reporting that a citizen with a "penetrating wound in the abdominal wall" had been admitted to their facility.

A police operational group, as well as servicemen from the Military Police of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, were dispatched to the hospital. It was determined that the injured individual was 29-year-old Vazgen Simonian. It was further established that on January 26, around 6:00 PM, the victim had gone to the "Hrasq Ojakh" restaurant complex on V. Hambardzumyan Street in Vardenis with his brother, 27-year-old Vahe Simonian, to celebrate the birth of their friend’s son, 24-year-old David Poghosyan, who resides in the village of Akunk in Gegharkunik Region.

After some time, an unfounded argument erupted between the victim's dining companions and 23-year-old Haik Hambardzumyan, a resident of Vardenis. The dispute turned into a brawl that continued outside the restaurant complex, during which Hambardzumyan stabbed Vazgen Simonian.

According to G. Shamshyan’s information, the injured Vazgen Simonian, his brother, and their friend David Poghosyan are all serving in the Ministry of Defense army unit. The Vardenis police, along with the military police and investigators, are conducting the necessary operational and investigative actions to locate the suspect, Hambardzumyan, as well as the weapon used in the crime.

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