Initially Ordered the Murder, Later Executed It Personally

The investigation into the criminal case by the Lori regional investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee has revealed a number of circumstances surrounding the murder of two residents of Vanadzor on February 9, 2020, on Hambardzumyan Street, as well as the motives behind it.

The Investigative Committee reports that charges have been brought against four individuals. It was previously reported that on February 9, 2020, the alleged perpetrator of the crime fired shots at four residents of Lori Province with the intent to deprive them of life using unlawfully obtained firearms and fled the scene. Those who sustained firearm injuries were transported to a medical center, two of whom, both residents of Vanadzor born in 1990, died on the way.

It was also reported that on March 7, 2020, a 40-year-old resident of Vanadzor had a dispute near the gates of the Botanical Institute of Lori Province due to hooligan motivations and then physically assaulted a fellow resident. Subsequently, along with a friend, he pursued his adversary with his Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vehicle, knocked him to the ground on Abovyan Street in Vanadzor, and inflicted numerous blows with his hands, feet, and then also with a knife on various parts of the victim's body, intentionally causing serious harm endangering his life.

During the search conducted in the framework of the criminal case, a pistol, nine bullets, two grenades, as well as unlawfully held large quantities of narcotic substances of marijuana type totaling 60.74 grams were found in the apartment of one of the individuals. The investigation revealed that the murder of the two residents of Vanadzor was also committed by this aforementioned 40-year-old man.

Considering that these crimes were apparently committed by the same person, a decision was made to combine the criminal cases initiated regarding the incidents and to continue the pre-trial investigation in one proceeding.

According to the data obtained during the investigation, the 64-year-old resident of Vanadzor, with the unlawful intent to deprive life, during the period from November to December 2019, provided an illegally obtained and held AK-74 assault rifle and ammunition to a 28-year-old young man, instructing him to search for the individuals mentioned. His 40-year-old son, with whom a tense, hostile relationship existed due to a previous altercation involving the 30-year-old resident of Vanadzor and his friends, assisted his father and in December 2019 transported the 28-year-old and a 19-year-old resident of Vanadzor in his Gazelle vehicle to an area adjacent to a restaurant in Vanadzor to aid in the planned killing of those individuals.

However, due to circumstances beyond the will of the father and son, the actions aimed at killing the mentioned individuals were not completed, as the 28-year-old, not carrying out the intended crime, returned the assault rifle and ammunition to the father of the 40-year-old man.

Then, with the same motive of seeking revenge, carrying the same AK-74 assault rifle and ammunition belonging to him and his father, at around 18:20 on February 9, 2020, the 40-year-old man, together with 56-year-old and 19-year-old residents of Vanadzor, traveled on a Niva vehicle to Hambardzumyan Street in Vanadzor, where, in a manner dangerous to the lives of many, with apparent intent to unlawfully deprive of life, he fired shots from the assault rifle at the 30-year-old man and his three friends, resulting in the firearm injuries that led to the deaths of two of them, both residents of Vanadzor born in 1990, on their way to the hospital.

Based on the combination of sufficient evidence obtained, the 40-year-old man has been charged under Articles 35-38-104 (aiding and preparing for murder) 1st and 8th clauses of the 2nd part, Article 104 (murder) 1st and 6th clauses of the 2nd part, Article 235 (unlawfully acquiring, selling, keeping, transporting or carrying weapons, ammunition, explosive materials or explosive devices) 1st part, Article 112 (intentionally causing serious harm to health) 2nd part 6th and 9th clauses of the RA Criminal Code. His father has been charged under Articles 35-38-104 2nd part 1st and 8th clauses and Article 235 1st part of the RA Criminal Code. The 56-year-old man is charged under Article 38-104 2nd part 1st, 6th clauses, Article 112 2nd part 6th and 9th clauses, while the 19-year-old man is charged under Article 235 1st part and Article 268 (illegal circulation of narcotics or psychoactive substances without the intent to sell) 2nd part 2nd clause. They have all been selected for detention as a measure of restraint. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.