Video: How the passenger stabbed the driver - The Investigative Committee has released footage

The Armenian Investigative Committee, in collaboration with the relevant department of the police, has revealed the attempted murder of a bus driver following urgent investigative and procedural actions in the Avan and Nor Nork administrative divisions of Yerevan.

The report regarding this incident was received on June 9, 2022, at 08:39 from the 'Surp Grigor Lusavorich' medical center, informing that a 64-year-old man was admitted with a diagnosis of "penetrating stab wound to the left side of the chest, cardiac damage, hemopericardium, and pneumothorax on the left."

As part of the preparation of materials related to the case, urgent measures revealed several circumstances concerning how the man sustained these injuries, including the scene of the incident, the motive, and the suspect's identity, who is a 55-year-old resident of Yerevan.

According to preliminary data, on the morning of June 9, 2022, a dispute arose between a passenger—a 55-year-old man—and the bus driver—a 64-year-old man—regarding smoking on the transport. Following this, the driver reportedly struck the passenger on the head with a metal object, prompting the passenger to stab the driver in the chest and lung area with a knife he had on him. However, the crime was not completed due to the intervention of bystanders and the provision of first aid, after which the assailant fled the scene.

A criminal case has been initiated under the first part of Article 34-104 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, and the investigation has been assigned to a designated group. The driver has been recognized as the victim.

Information regarding the identity of the man who committed the apparent crime and his whereabouts was obtained during the investigation; he was apprehended, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and has provided a confession regarding the circumstances of the incident.

During the investigation, several investigative and procedural actions have been undertaken, including the examination of the crime scene, where cigarette butts, the knife used in the crime, and the storage devices from nearby surveillance cameras were confiscated for examination. Witnesses have also been questioned.

To determine the nature, severity, and mechanisms of the mutual bodily harm inflicted on both the victim and the suspect, forensic examinations have been scheduled. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts being made to ensure a comprehensive, complete, and objective inquiry, verifying the circumstances referenced in the testimonies, individualizing the actions of each participant in the incident, and providing a legal assessment.

A directive has been issued to the investigating body.