Rumors Circulate That Arthur Committed Suicide: Parents of Deceased Soldier Take to the Streets

Today, December 3, residents of Artashar village in the Armavir region gathered in the yard of the Republican Medical and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, demanding that authorities provide an immediate and clear answer regarding the circumstances under which 21-year-old Arthur Ajamyants suffered a fatal gunshot wound in suspicious circumstances at one of the positions of the Artsakh Defense Army on December 2.

According to shamshyan.com, the relatives of the deceased soldier stated, ‘We never imagined such a tragedy. To raise and cherish a child for 21 years and to receive news of their death on their birthday — that is unbearable. Arthur, who had the option not to serve, voluntarily went to the territorial military commissariat, collected all the necessary documents, and returned to the commissariat days later. During the oath-taking ceremony, both he and his fellow soldiers told us, ‘Guys like Arthur are the ones who truly serve with pride.’ Arthur always said, ‘I am proud to serve in the unit where Kyaram Sloyan served during the April war.’ He took great pride in this.’

On December 2, the family received a call from the territorial military commissariat delivering the heartbreaking message that their son had been killed on his birthday.

Both the soldier's parents and relatives, along with the entire village and a large number of citizens of Yezidi descent who had arrived from other regions, stated, ‘Some people on social media have spread rumors suggesting that Arthur committed suicide. This is complete nonsense. A young man who loves life and who would not flee from the army, who loves his land and water would not take such a step. What talk of suicide is there when officers have told us that the fatal gunshot wound was received from behind? Therefore, the version of Arthur committing suicide is clearly denied.’