New Details Emerge in the Investigation of Murders Near Yerevan Lake and Hrazdan River

New details have emerged in the investigation of the murders that took place near Yerevan Lake and the Hrazdan River. This was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia, stating: "As a result of extensive investigative and judicial actions conducted by the Central and Norq-Marash investigative departments of the Yerevan City Investigative Committee, as well as operational-search measures, several significant circumstances of the murder of a 37-year-old man have been clarified. The motive has been identified, and another serious crime has been revealed: the murder of the 37-year-old man was followed by another murder.

Earlier, it was reported that three individuals, after consuming alcohol at a location known as 'Bji Gyol' on the bank of the Hrazdan River, brutally and intentionally attacked the 37-year-old man with a hammer, causing him to lose consciousness. Subsequently, one of the participants, a 31-year-old man, noticing that the victim was still alive, aimed to complete his criminal intent by throwing him into a concrete water conduit. The man, regaining consciousness, attempted to hold onto the wall of the conduit; however, one of the assailants struck him in the face, causing him to faint again and fall into the water. His body was later found in one of the water conduits of the Yerevan hydroelectric power station.

During the investigation, it was established that an unidentified individual witnessed the murder, who was noticed by the perpetrators. To conceal their crime, one of the accused, the 31-year-old man, struck this witness twice in the neck with an axe. After ensuring the witness was dead, he disposed of the body in the Hrazdan River, which was discovered on March 22, 2021, at 1:30 PM in 'Yerevan Lake.'

Considering the newly emerged circumstances, a new criminal case has been initiated under Article 104, Part 2, Item 11 of the RA Criminal Code, and a decision has been made to consolidate the two criminal cases into one proceeding for a joint investigation. The investigation is ongoing. Measures are being taken to clarify all circumstances of the cases, identify the second victim of the murder, and ensure an objective and comprehensive inquiry. Instructions have been issued to the investigative body.