Details of the November 16 Incident: 13 Captured, 2 Killed

The investigation department of the Special Investigative Service has completed the preliminary investigation into the criminal case concerning the violations of combat duty regulations at the defense post belonging to Military Unit N of the Republic of Armenia's Ministry of Defense on November 16, 2021, which led to serious consequences.

Through a thorough, complete, and objective examination of the evidence obtained during the preliminary investigation, and their analysis in conjunction with each other, it was established that Major G.G., while performing the duties of acting commander of the battalion of Military Unit N on November 16, 2021, was assigned as the person responsible for the defense area entrusted to the battalion, and was engaged in combat duty at the designated area. The deputy commander of the battalion, Major N.E., was simultaneously performing the duties of a senior position in combat duty, while contract serviceman Private S.M. was fulfilling the responsibilities of an observer at the combat position. They violated the regulations established by the law “On Approval of the Internal Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia” and the order of the Minister of Defense regarding the organization and implementation of combat duty, which resulted in serious consequences.

Azerbaijani armed forces invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia, and the combat position N, which served as a command observation post, fell under enemy control. Out of the total of 21 servicemen present at the combat position, 13 were captured by the adversary, and the bodies of two killed, Taron Jivani Sahakyan and Arsen Seniki Gasparyan, were respectively handed over to the Armenian side on November 17 and 19, 2021. Of the captured servicemen, 8 were later returned to the Armenian side, while 3 prisoners of war are still being held in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Within the framework of the criminal proceedings, G.G., N.E., and S.M. are charged under part 3 of Article 365 of the RA Criminal Code for the commission of the criminal act, and they have been subjected to detention as a preventive measure. The preliminary investigation regarding these three individuals has been completed, and the criminal case has been sent to the prosecutor supervising the proceedings with a motion to confirm the indictment and forward it to the court. On January 27, 2022, the criminal case with the indictment was sent to the Court of General Jurisdiction of Ararat and Vayots Dzor regions.