23-Year-Old From Gyumri Kills One of His Attackers After Being Beaten with a Rod

The Shirak Regional Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee is continuing active investigative and other procedural actions, as well as operational and search measures, to clarify all circumstances surrounding the murder of a 35-year-old man and acts of hooliganism that occurred on September 13, 2020, in Gyumri.

During the preliminary investigation, a number of circumstances regarding the murder of the 35-year-old man have been established, including the motive and the identity of the alleged perpetrator, who is a 23-year-old resident of Gyumri.

It has been revealed that just hours before the murder, between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, a 34-year-old resident of Gyumri had an argument with the 23-year-old and his friends. During the altercation, the 34-year-old used an iron rod as a weapon and inflicted violence on them.

It was also discovered that the same individuals vandalized a parked Mercedes car using bats and stones, disrupting the peace of nearby citizens and interfering with traffic in the area.

The 23-year-old, unable to tolerate the treatment he received, retaliated and argued with the attackers, during which he used a knife to stab the 35-year-old man in the abdominal area, injuring the abdominal aorta, which ultimately led to the latter's death.

Additionally, a significant investigative effort has revealed that on the same day, another incident occurred in a cafe on Kamo Street in Gyumri, involving a 34-year-old man and his friends, including the 35-year-old victim. Specifically, between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM on September 13, 2020, the 34-year-old man, along with three friends and unidentified individuals, brutally violated public order, exhibiting scandalous disrespect towards passersby and residents of nearby buildings.

During this time, he engaged in an argument with other compatriots and physically assaulted one of them using an iron rod, striking him on the head and other parts of his body. Additionally, the 34-year-old, while intoxicated and without a valid driver's license, crashed his Mercedes Benz into an electric post on July 16, 2020, around 1:20 AM.

Based on a substantial combination of evidence, charges have been filed against the 34-year-old under Part 2 of Article 243.1 and Part 4 of Article 258 of the RA Criminal Code (two episodes), while two of his friends have been charged under Part 4 of Article 258 (hooliganism). The preliminary investigation regarding the hooliganism episodes has concluded, and the criminal case has been forwarded to court with an accusatory conclusion.

The investigation into the murder and against unidentified individuals is ongoing. A 1985-born man has been placed on wanted status for committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 104 (murder) of the RA Criminal Code, and a preventive measure of detention has been selected. Efforts are being made to identify, locate, and bring before the prosecuting authority not only him but also others involved in the hooliganism.