63-Year-Old Man Threatens Self-Immolation in Masis After Dispute with Electric Company

On April 27, an extraordinary incident occurred in the Ararat region. Around 11:30 AM, the Emergency Situations Ministry's rescue service in the Ararat region and the Masis police department received a report that a citizen was threatening to set himself on fire in front of the Masis electricity distribution center.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, a firefighting and rescue team from the Emergency Situations Ministry arrived at the scene with one operational unit. The operational group from the Masis police department also arrived, led by Police Chief Arsen Voskanian.

Under the leadership of Police Chief A. Voskanian and Deputy Chief Gevorgyan, police officers negotiated with the 63-year-old Yegishe K., a resident of Yerevan, in an attempt to dissuade him from taking this extreme step. He had poured gasoline on himself and informed the police and rescuers that he had argued with the employees of the "Araks" branch of the "Electric Networks of Armenia" company located at 11 Railroad St. in the industrial hub of Masis regarding a power outage issue: "This is why I decided to self-immolate in front of the electricity distribution center."

Police and rescuers managed to persuade him, relieved him of the lighter, and prevented an attempted suicide.

Investigative materials are being prepared by the Masis police department.