Local Resident Arrested for Murder of 19-Year-Old

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has revealed several circumstances and motives behind the murder of a 19-year-old as part of an ongoing criminal investigation in the Armavir region. Following urgent investigative and procedural actions, as well as operational and intelligence measures, it was established that a 45-year-old resident of Armavir learned that the son of his friend had committed sexual acts against his daughter, born in 2005, and subsequently extorted money and gold jewelry from her. Seeking revenge, he planned to murder the young man.

In the days leading up to the murder, under unclear circumstances, the suspect acquired a TOZ-63 model, 16mm caliber hunting rifle and kept it in his home. On November 10, 2020, at 19:54, under the pretense of discussing monetary issues, the man went to his friend's house and, with the young man, drove to the village of Dandzout.

Upon reaching the area of the village, the suspect took the hunting rifle from the trunk of his vehicle and, with the intent to unlawfully take the young man's life, shot him three times, hitting his abdomen, left side of the chest, and head, inflicting life-threatening gunshot wounds.

During the investigation, a search of the crime scene was conducted where remnants of ammunition components, such as wadding, a bullet, and metallic fragments were discovered. Several forensic examinations have been appointed, and samples were taken, as well as the clothing worn by the victim at the time of the incident.

Based on a sufficient combination of evidence, the 45-year-old man has been charged under Article 104 (murder) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. A motion has been submitted to the court for his detention as a preventive measure, which was satisfied.

An investigative experiment was conducted with the participation of the accused, during which he presented the TOZ-63 hunting rifle, loaded with three cartridges along with one fired cartridge found in the gun. Furthermore, it was established that the aforementioned young man had also committed sexual acts against a resident of the same village who had not yet reached the age of 16 in early March 2020, recorded the act, and under the threat of publishing it, extorted money and a gold necklace with a pendant from the girl.

Considering that there is a legal basis and grounds for initiating a criminal case based on the prepared materials, the Investigative Committee of Armenia has opened a criminal investigation under Article 141 (sexual relations with a person under the age of sixteen or committing sexual acts against a person under the age of sixteen) and Article 182 (extortion) of the Criminal Code, and a decision was made to combine this new case with the murder investigation. The investigation is ongoing.