Diminishing the Honor and Dignity of a Soldier Led to Suicide, Prosecutor's Office

On November 15, 2021, a contract serviceman, Private Gevorg Avetyan, stationed at a military unit in the Jambarak community, died from gunshot wounds he sustained from his attached AK-74 assault rifle while on guard duty. This incident prompted the Armenian Investigative Committee's Fifth Garrison Investigation Department to open a criminal case under Article 365, Part 3 of the Armenian Criminal Code on the same day. The next day, November 16, another criminal case was initiated based on Article 360.1, Parts 1 and 3, and Article 359, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, concerning the characteristics of the crimes committed. The aforementioned criminal cases have been consolidated into one proceeding. This was reported by Gor Abrahamyan, an advisor to the Armenian Prosecutor General.

On November 16, two of Avetyan's fellow servicemen were arrested on suspicion of committing the aforementioned crimes. Following the preliminary investigation, on November 19, one of them, contract serviceman Private A.S., was charged under Article 360.1, Parts 1 and 3, and Article 359, Part 2 of the Criminal Code for exhibiting cruel behavior towards fellow serviceman Gevorg Avetyan during combat duty, humiliating his personal honor and dignity, leading him to suicide through violence, and violating the regulations governing relationships between servicemen. Another serviceman, Private A.A., was also charged the same day under Article 359, Part 2, for beating his fellow contracted serviceman at the combat position, causing physical pain, thereby violating the regulations governing the relationships between servicemen as per Article 13 and 16 of the RA Armed Forces Internal Service Regulation.

On the same day, a motion was filed with the Court of General Jurisdiction of Gegharkunik Province to apply detention as a measure of restraint against the two accused, which was granted, and they were detained. On November 17 and 18, by the decision of the investigating authority, forensic examinations were appointed, the entire personnel of the combat position was interrogated, operational-investigative measures were decided upon, and so on. This means necessary steps have been taken to ensure a complete, objective, and comprehensive investigation and to clarify the circumstances surrounding the serviceman's death and to provide a final legal assessment of the involved individuals' actions.

Noting that the preliminary investigation has just begun, and given the absolute ignorance of the currently obtained factual data, unnecessary speculations and subjective interpretations have already been initiated by certain circles regarding the tragic incident. I urge everyone to refrain from making premature and unfounded assessments and interpretations regarding the description and qualification of the incident to avoid forming public biased opinions regarding the investigation and its prosecutorial oversight. I reiterate that the investigation has just begun, and the straightforward chronology of actions taken during the proceedings and criminal prosecution should indicate that these could not be determined by the comments and opinions spread in the press about a week after the incident. There is no intention and cannot be any intention to cover up this case, nor the crime involved. The Prosecutor's Office will ensure consistent vigilance over the legality of the investigation, and based on the results, will provide necessary information periodically according to public demand.