11 Criminal Cases Initiated Due to Azerbaijan's Armed Forces' Criminal Aggressions

From July 12 to 14, 2020, at various times of the day, in the territories of the Berd community in the Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia, located in the state border zone with Azerbaijan, the armed forces of the adversary, motivated by national hatred and religious fanaticism, intentionally inflicted life-threatening harm to two or more individuals. They subjected several combat positions of the RA Ministry of Defense's military unit to bombardment using artillery of various calibers, as well as mortars, including attacks with 'Kamikaze' drones.

The Public Relations Department of the RA Prosecutor General's Office reports that these criminal actions were, however, not completed due to circumstances beyond the control of the perpetrators; as a result of explosions caused by the aforementioned drones, artillery, and mortar strikes, military personnel of the RA Armed Forces suffered various degrees of mostly mild shrapnel injuries or concussions. The injured were transported to the Berd military hospital where they received necessary medical assistance.

Additionally, certain vehicles were also damaged as a result of these actions by the adversary. In relation to these incidents, on July 13 and 14, 2020, the Sixth Garrison Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee initiated 9 criminal cases under part 2, points 1, 7, and 13 of Article 34-104, as well as part 2, points 1, 7, and 13 of Article 34-104 and part 2, points 1 and 4 of Article 185 of the RA Criminal Code.

On July 14, in the same part of the state border between the RA and the Republic of Artsakh, from 12:25 to 13:30, the adversary again attacked military-designated separate facilities at the RA Ministry of Defense's military unit, with the intent to deliberately destroy property and unlawfully kill two or more individuals, using 'Kamikaze' drones. As a result of the injuries sustained in these attacks, Captain Sos Paylaki Elbakian and Major Garush Vemiri Hambardzoomyan, as well as conscripted servicemen Junior Sergeant Smbat Gevorgi Gabrielyan and Junior Sergeant Grisha Vahani Matevosyan, died on the spot. Several other servicemen also sustained various degrees of injuries.

In relation to these incidents, on July 14, the Sixth Garrison Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee initiated 2 criminal cases, one of which is under part 2, points 1, 7, and 13 of Article 104, and the other under part 2, points 1, 7, and 13 of Article 104 and part 2, points 1 and 4 of Article 185 of the RA Criminal Code.

Currently, the investigation is underway for all 11 criminal cases, including examinations of the crime scenes, forensic examinations of the bodies of the fallen servicemen, and identifying all the injured as victims, with forensic investigations being assigned. Other necessary investigative actions are also being carried out.

Measures are being taken to provide a legal assessment regarding the breaches of the ceasefire regime by the armed forces of Azerbaijan in the same area of the state border on the early morning of July 16, concerning the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the life and health of civilian residents in several communities of Berd region, as well as the acts of aggression against their property. More information will be provided later.