Two Individuals Wanted in Connection with Shootings at Shishi Melo's 'Portez' Restaurant

A manhunt has been launched for two individuals in connection with the armed incident that occurred near the 'Portez' restaurant in Abovyan city during the night of January 28-29. This information was reported to NEWS.am by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

Within the framework of the case, charges have been brought against seven individuals, two of whom have been placed under detention as a precautionary measure, while another is under suspicion.

According to media reports, one of those detained is Arthur Vardanyan, who has been charged with attempted murder and committing hooliganism with the use of weapons. The other detainee is Vardan Grigoryan, who is accused of hooliganism as part of a group.

Grigoryan is reportedly an employee at one of the vulcanization shops in Abovyan. According to the case materials, the incident was provoked by a dispute that took place at the vulcanization shop. Preliminary assumptions suggest that relatives of former MP Malik Manukyan, known as Shishi Melo, visited the vulcanization shop, where they were refused service due to not speaking to the staff in a polite manner, as well as because of the shop's closing hours. The dispute later escalated near the 'Portez' restaurant, owned by the former MP, where the parties involved drew four types of weapons.

Thus, a total of ten individuals hold the procedural status of either suspects or defendants in this case.