Dispute in Gyumri Turns into Stabbing Incident; Victim Dies, 25-Year-Old Suspect at Large

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported significant developments in the investigation of a murder case involving a 35-year-old resident of Gyumri. On September 13, 2020, at approximately 2:00 PM, in a conversation room on Kamo Street, the 35-year-old man was assaulted and sustained serious injuries after being beaten and struck with a stick. Learning that his assailant was in a park in the 61st district on Shirakatsi Street, a 23-year-old resident returned later that same day around 6:00 PM to seek revenge.

During this encounter, the two men argued about the earlier assault, resulting in the younger man stabbing the older man in the left thigh with a knife he had brought with him. The victim ultimately succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital.

Based on the evidence collected, the 23-year-old has been charged under Article 104 (murder) of the Criminal Code of Armenia and has been placed on the wanted list, with detention as the chosen preventive measure.

Furthermore, during the investigation, it was established that another Gyumri resident, born in 1986, engaged in public disorderly conduct from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the same day in the aforementioned park. Fueled by a desire to assert personal superiority, he publicly disrespected the community, engaging in a loud and aggressive confrontation with several local residents in the presence of bystanders and nearby residents. This individual committed violent acts against those present, including using a stick to damage a "Mercedes Benz" vehicle belonging to one of the participants and displaying a knife while kicking a passing vehicle, injuring its driver.

A new criminal case has been initiated among these incidents under Article 258 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code of Armenia, which has been merged with the murder case. The 34-year-old man involved has also been charged under the same hooliganism article, and a request for his detention has been submitted to the court. The investigation is ongoing.