Service Member Threw Grenade at Returning Soldier, Killed Him to Cover Up and Present as Suicide

A fellow serviceman has been charged with the murder of conscript Garegin Babakekhyan, who was found dead from a gunshot wound in a combat position on April 3, 2020. The incident occurred around 00:35 in one of the military units located in the southeastern direction of the Defense Army (PB).

As previously reported, Babakekhyan was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound to the neck. Following the incident, a criminal case was initiated under Article 360.1, Part 2, Point 3 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, relating to causing a serviceman's suicide through negligence during combat duty.

According to Factinfo, the investigation revealed that Babakekhyan was killed by a fellow serviceman who attempted to disguise it as a suicide. The suspect was appointed as an observer in the combat position from March 27 to April 10, and on April 2, he was on duty in the same shift as Babakekhyan from 23:00 until 01:00.

On April 3, around midnight, the suspect, having violated combat duty rules, fell asleep in a trench. Upon noticing Babakekhyan approaching from the neutral zone, he mistakenly identified him as the enemy and threw a grenade in his direction, resulting in shrapnel injuries.

Realizing the injured party was his comrade and that he could face criminal charges for his actions, the suspect decided to conceal the event. The investigation indicates he resolved to kill Babakekhyan and disguise the incident as a suicide. Specifically, after Babakekhyan returned to the trench following the explosion, he struck him in the head with a rifle butt, knocked him to the ground, and attempted to shoot him with his attached submachine gun. However, a malfunction occurred while trying to chamber a round, leading him to use his service weapon, which he chambered and aimed at Babakekhyan's suboccipital region before pulling the trigger. The resulting gunfire was fatal, causing death from the head wound.

The fellow serviceman is facing charges under Article 104, Part 2, Point 11, and Article 365, Part 1 of the Criminal Code for murder, aiming to conceal another crime or facilitate its commission, as well as for violating combat duty rules. He has been detained as a preventive measure.

The preliminary investigation has concluded, with the prosecutor's office confirming the indictment, and the case has been forwarded to court.