Son of Former Syunik Governor Charged with Attempted Murder Released

The son of former Syunik governor Melikset Poghosyan, Karen Poghosyan, who is charged with attempted murder, has been released after a brief period in custody and is now free. The preliminary investigation body has determined that it is sufficient to apply a signature not to leave as a measure of restraint, despite the fact that he was on the run for months and law enforcement could not locate him.

As previously reported, Karen Poghosyan is accused under Article 34-104, Part 2, Points 1 and 6 of the Armenian Criminal Code, for the attempted murder of two or more persons in a manner dangerous to many lives, and under Part 1 of Article 235 for illegal possession of firearms.

In November 2021, the court rejected a prosecutor’s motion to extend the incarceration measure for Poghosyan. The prosecutor's appeal against the court’s decision was also rejected, resulting in Poghosyan's release.

In response to a written inquiry from “Fastinfo,” the Investigative Committee stated that the investigation is still ongoing, and on January 7, 2022, a signature not to leave was chosen as a measure of restraint for the accused Karen Poghosyan. The Committee also reported that Tigran Khachatryan, the son of former Syunik governor Surik Khachatryan, holds the status of a witness in the criminal case, while two individuals, Melik Barseghyan and Harout Vardanyan, have been recognized as victims. Incidentally, several months ago, MP Vahe Hakobyan from the “Armenia” faction had stated that one of the victims, who had sustained a gunshot wound, is in a coma.

“The health status of victims Melik Barseghyan and Harout Vardanyan allows them to participate in investigative and procedural actions. There are no individuals in a coma,” the Committee reported.

It should be recalled that on July 14, 2021, at around 1:00 AM in the city of Goris, an altercation between 33-year-old Karen Poghosyan, the son of Syunik governor Melikset Poghosyan, and Tigran Khachatryan, the son of former Syunik governor Surik Khachatryan, escalated into a brawl, resulting in gunshots and injuries. A criminal case was initiated on the basis of attempted murder under Part 1 of Article 34-104, Part 4 of Article 258, and Part 1 of Article 235 of the Armenian Criminal Code, on charges of attempted murder, hooliganism with the use of a weapon, and illegal possession of firearms. Karen Poghosyan faces charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.