Materials Prepared by SIS Regarding Incident Involving Judge Arthur Avagyan

The Special Investigative Service has received materials related to an incident involving Administrative Court Judge Arthur Avagyan. SIS spokesperson Marina Ohanyan informed Armtimes.com in response to a query, adding that preparations of materials regarding the case are ongoing.

A few days ago, the press reported that on October 26 at approximately 14:38, the 9-11 group of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, with their lights activated, requested the driver of a Mazda vehicle with license plate 12 NN 021 to yield the road near 'Arinj Mall'. However, the driver exited his vehicle, attacked the rescuers performing their professional duties, and pointed an object resembling a weapon towards them. The driver threatened with a pistol, saying that he would 'kill them all.'

The Kotayk division of the police identified that the specified vehicle belonged to a resident of Yerevan, N. K. Hours later, 35-year-old Arthur Avagyan appeared at the Kotayk police station, claiming that he had been driving the Mazda and had a 'Bruni 84' type pistol with him during the incident, but insisted that he did not point it at anyone or threaten anyone.

The day after the incident, on October 27, the Supreme Judicial Council made a statement, particularly noting: 'The Supreme Judicial Council is aware of the information spread in the media regarding the incident involving Administrative Court Judge Arthur Avagyan. An appropriate investigation is currently underway. We are confident that the participants in the incident will demonstrate behavior appropriate for public servants, refraining from any statements regarding the case. We urge media representatives at this stage to refrain from publications and comments regarding the incident until all circumstances are clarified.'

On November 4, during a conversation with reporters, Minister of Emergency Situations Felix Tsolakyan addressed the incident, saying: 'Our four firefighters arrived by vehicle to the call. There was a car coming from the opposite direction, and they turned on the signaling system to yield the road. The road was not yielded, it was blocked, and in the end, a weapon was pointed at them. I didn’t know who it was, whether he was a judge or who... When I got the vehicle number, our crisis center presented the information, and I immediately said to give it to the police, and the police are dealing with it.'