Nikol Pashinyan Meets with Families of Fallen Soldiers

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting today with the relatives of soldiers who died in non-combat conditions. During the meeting, the first consultative conclusion compiled by the working group established by the decision No. 888-N dated August 3, 2020, was presented.

At the beginning of the discussion, Nikol Pashinyan noted, “A few months ago, we met and reached agreements. During that time, the war and the events that you are aware of occurred, but the work has progressed, and we have the first summary. The first case that was studied was the criminal case regarding the death of Tigran Ohanyan.”

Assistant to the Acting Prime Minister Anna Vardapetyan provided details regarding the consultative conclusion based on the conducted study. She noted that, according to the established sequence of criminal cases, the first one examined was the criminal case regarding the death of Tigran Ohanyan. The working group has worked on a weekly basis and prepared a 140-page written consultative conclusion, which includes the unified approach of all members of the working group (the group includes 6 members: 3 representatives of the Prime Minister and 3 representatives of victims' legal successors listed in the decision).

Anna Vardapetyan reported that the working group identified several violations in the consultative conclusion. These mainly relate to key investigative actions aimed at obtaining evidence of significant importance for the case. Violations related to official investigations, telephone conversations have also been identified, and separate recommendations have been made.

Vardapetyan emphasized that the working group does not conduct investigative functions; the written consultative conclusion is a professional opinion of the independent 6-member professional group, a pure legal analysis, and will be sent for the consideration of the investigative body.

Nikol Pashinyan asked the legal successor of the victim, Gohar Sargsyan, how she assesses the results of the study and the records. In response, Gohar Sargsyan mentioned that her son’s death occurred in 2007, and for 14 years, she has raised her concerns about the reasons for the death. She stated that she agrees with the consultative conclusion, has been involved in the discussions of the working group, and is ready to continue cooperation on further steps.

The meeting also addressed the question of starting the examination of the next case. Vardapetyan informed that, at the initiative of the parents and by mutual agreement among them, it was proposed to examine the criminal case regarding the death of Valerik Muradyan as the second case.

During the exchange of ideas, Nikol Pashinyan listened to the parents’ comments and answered their questions. This information is provided by the Government's website.