Two Defendants Arrested in Alcohol Poisoning Case

Defendants in the alcohol poisoning case, Arshak Arshakyan from Armavir and Avetik Vardanyan from Ararat, have been detained for two months. This was reported to NEWS.am by Arshak Arshakyan's lawyer, Arthur Poghosyan, who added that the court's decision regarding his client was made today, while the ruling on Avetik Vardanyan's detention was published yesterday.

It is noteworthy that, in this case, defendant Ashot Hovsepyan purchased alcohol from Arshak Arshakyan, who acquired it from Avetik Vardanyan. It has not yet been clarified from whom Vardanyan obtained the alcohol.

Arshak Arshakyan's lawyer stated that his client does not accept the charges against him and mentioned that there has been a confrontation among the three defendants in the case. Currently, a hearing on Ashot Hovsepyan's detention is underway; the defendant is not present at the hearing because he has contracted coronavirus and has been moved to a medical center.

Between August 31 and September 5, the country recorded a total of 46 poisoning cases, resulting in 17 fatalities. Among these cases, 29 were reported in the Armavir region, leading to 9 deaths; 15 occurred in Yerevan, with 7 resulting in death; and 2 incidents in Kotayk region, with 1 death.

Currently, 13 patients are receiving treatment for alcohol poisoning in various medical centers across the country. A criminal case has been opened under Article 279, Part 3 of the Republic of Armenia's Criminal Code (producing or selling goods that do not meet safety requirements, performing works, or providing services).

Three individuals have been arrested in connection with this case.