VIDEO: Investigative Committee on Attempted Murder of 4 Individuals in Tsaghkadzor

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has completed the preliminary investigation of a criminal case regarding the attempted murder of four individuals and false testimony. The incident involving a group of young people occurred on April 3, 2021, in Tsaghkadzor, during which shots were fired at a Hyundai Elantra vehicle.

Days after the incident, one of the participants, a 23-year-old resident of the Ararat region, along with his friend, voluntarily approached law enforcement. They were forewarned about the criminal liability for providing false testimony and, realizing that the information they provided was fabricated, gave false testimony during their interrogation, claiming that their other companion had fired the shots.

However, through necessary investigative actions conducted by the prosecuting body and measures carried out in cooperation with the staff of the RA Police, essential circumstances regarding the incident were clarified, including the motive and the identity of the actual perpetrator.

Specifically, factual data was obtained during the investigation indicating that the shots fired at the mentioned vehicle were from the 23-year-old resident of Ararat region who had previously provided false testimony against his friend. It was established that on the day of the incident, he encountered friends of the individuals who had attempted to kill him and his companions months earlier and, with the intent to unlawfully deprive them of life, armed and pursued them along with his friends, firing from a САЙГА-410К model, 410 caliber smoothbore hunting firearm. However, for reasons beyond his control, the crime was not completed, as three of the individuals in the vehicle had managed to escape before the shots were fired, and the bullets aimed at the driver did not hit him.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained, charges have been brought against the resident of Ararat region under Article 34-104, Part 1, Clause 1, and Article 333, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, with detention chosen as a preventive measure. His friend has been charged under Article 333, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, and a signature not to leave has been selected as a preventive measure for him.

As for the young man against whom his friends had provided false testimony, the prosecuting body has decided to discontinue criminal prosecution against him due to the absence of an offence in his actions. The preliminary investigation has concluded, and the criminal case, with an accusatory conclusion, has been sent to the court.

Note: The suspect or accused in the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia through a court ruling that has entered into legal force.

For further details, see the video.