Allegations of Torture Against Suspect in Attempted Murder Case of 'Bottle Melo' Sent to Investigative Committee

Allegations regarding the supposed torture of Arthur Mkhitaryan, the suspect in the attempted murder case against the businessman known as 'Bottle Melo' (Melik Manukyan), have been sent to the Investigative Committee for review. This was reported to NEWS.am by Arevik Khachatryan, head of the Prosecutor’s Office's Public Relations Department.

It is noted that Mkhitaryan’s lawyer, Gayane Grigoryan, submitted a report of the crime to the Prosecutor General of Armenia, Artur Davtyan, on August 19. According to the lawyer, physical and psychological pressure was exerted on her client at the Abovyan division of the Kotayk regional department, in the presence of the chief of the division, and he was tortured, which led to Mkhitaryan inflicting self-harm while in custody.

The blast occurred on the Yerevan-Sevan highway on August 2, near the glass container factory belonging to Melik Manukyan. A criminal case has been initiated based on Article 34-104, Part 2, Clause 6 of the Armenian Criminal Code, regarding attempted murder in a manner threatening the lives of many, and Article 235, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, concerning the illegal acquisition and possession of weapons and ammunition. Three residents of Shirak province—56-year-old Arthur Mkhitaryan, 53-year-old Petros Elbakyan, and 45-year-old Dzhemsik Martirosyan—have been arrested in connection with the case. Additionally, two more persons have been detained for removing Melik Manukyan’s vehicle from the explosion site. Manukyan holds the status of victim in this case.