Father of Sona Mnatsakanyan Questions Justice in Fatal Accident Case

On April 16, a 29-year-old pregnant woman, Sona Mnatsakanyan, was fatally injured in a hit-and-run at the crossroads of Paronyan and Leo streets. Her father is concerned and claims that some evidence in the case has been destroyed.

This was reported by aravot.am. “After participating in the hearing on the reconsideration of the arrest in the Court of Appeals, I realized that there was evidence destruction in the case. Certain recordings have been erased. My lawyer will present details about this after the investigation is completed. It became evident to me that the Court of Appeals did not take the accused into custody because he was the driver escorting the Prime Minister. There is nothing more to it. This was repeatedly emphasized by the defense attorney in court. I quote directly from his words: after all, he is the driver escorting the Prime Minister's convoy, not just an ordinary driver who would stop. However, from a human perspective, not only should he have stopped, but so should the Prime Minister.

It turns out there is a classification between a driver of a common 'Gazelle' involved in a fatal accident and the driver of the convoy escorting the Prime Minister. It seems that at the highest levels, where they preach that the police serve the people, the law is equal for everyone, and the courts are independent, is merely a myth and an illusion. I have a pessimistic question: if the name of the person who was hit had not been Sona Mnatsakanyan but Mariam Nikol Pashinyan, of course, I do not wish such misfortune upon anyone, would the driver have been free?” said Mnatsakanyan's father, Mnatsakan Mnatsakanyan, in an interview with Aravot.am.

According to him, the day after his daughter’s accident, the Prime Minister called him to express his condolences and assured him that he would follow up on the impartial investigation of the case.

“I believed him, but events unfolded as follows: from the very beginning of the investigation, taking advantage of the fact that we were engaged in mourning ceremonies and did not immediately file a complaint against the accused, the charge was presented only under one article, and he was released from custody. Only through our lawyer were we able to petition to add a second charge for leaving the scene of the accident and leaving the victim without help. Although they claim that the driver called for an ambulance, there is undeniable evidence that he left the scene. A few days ago, I received the preliminary conclusion of the examination, which states that the driver exceeded the permissible speed and took no measures to prevent the accident.”