The Senior Officer Mistook a Soldier for an Enemy and Shot a Conscription Soldier: Investigative Committee Provides Details

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has announced that Lieutenant H.A. has been charged under part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (Violation of rules for performing combat duty or combat service) in connection with the death of conscription soldier Arthur Ghazaryan.

Specifically, on July 16, 2021, at approximately 21:40, while on duty in the firing position of the military unit, Lieutenant H.A. received a report of suspected enemy movement in the area. After conducting an observation and terrain study, around 21:45, noticing movement, he violated the rules of combat duty and fired single shots from his assigned automatic rifle in that direction. As a result, conscription soldier Arthur Ghazaryan sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, leading to severe consequences.

As a measure of restraint, detention has been chosen for the lieutenant. The preliminary investigation in the criminal case is ongoing.