46-Year-Old Man Murdered and Then Set on Fire: Case in Court

The investigation into the murder case that took place in Pushkino village has concluded at the Lori Regional Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee. During the pre-trial investigation, several circumstances and motives of the murder were clarified through investigative and procedural actions.

Specifically, it was determined that a 21-year-old resident of the Lori region had performed agricultural work for a resident of Vanadzor, 46, at the latter's summer house in Pushkino village for a fee before starting his conscription service. During this time, they had contact with each other and frequently communicated by phone, a correspondence that continued even during the young man's military service.

On August 17, 2019, after the young man's discharge from military service, the Vanadzor resident invited him to a feast at his summer cottage. Under the influence of alcohol, an argument arose between them regarding personal matters, during which the 46-year-old man struck the young man, causing injuries that did not characterize as causing light harm to his health. In a state of severe psychological tension and with intent to unlawfully deprive the man of life, the young man took a kitchen knife from the table and inflicted 17 blows to various parts of the man’s body, unlawfully and intentionally depriving him of life.

Subsequently, in an attempt to conceal the traces of the crime, he poured gasoline on the body and set it on fire, simultaneously igniting the private house, causing significant property damage to the owner, amounting to about 2,254,000 AMD. He then fled the scene. After leaving the site, he washed himself in the nearby Chaylagh River, then went home, changed clothes, and returned to the riverbank, where he disposed of his bloody clothes in the river. Afterward, he returned with his brother to the burning private house to watch how the firefighters were extinguishing the fire.

Based on sufficient evidence, the young man has been charged under Article 104 (murder) of the RA Criminal Code and parts 1 and 2 of Article 185 (intentional destruction or damage to property). Pretrial detention has been selected as a measure of restraint. The investigation has been completed, and the criminal case has been sent to court with an accusatory conclusion.