Four Arrested in Surmalu Blast Case

On August 25, 2022, the Prosecutor's Office of Yerevan received and examined the materials of the criminal proceedings initiated regarding the explosion that occurred on August 14, 2022, around 13:30 at the Surmalu shopping center located at 15 Arshakunyats Avenue, Yerevan. Following the examination of the materials from the criminal case, the prosecutor overseeing the legality of the criminal proceedings decided to initiate public criminal prosecution against two individuals under Article 357, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (Article 357. Violations of fire safety rules or requirements leading to death or other serious consequences due to negligence).

The Prosecutor's Office informed that the decisions have been sent to the investigator, and a directive has been issued to present charges against the aforementioned individuals within the legally stipulated timeframe and to submit a motion to the court for their detention as a preventive measure.

Moreover, the investigation of the materials of the criminal case revealed that there are sufficient grounds for public criminal prosecution against two additional individuals under Article 165, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (Article 165. Causing the death of two or more individuals through negligence). Therefore, the investigator has been tasked to initiate criminal proceedings under Article 165 and to carry out procedural actions aimed at initiating criminal prosecution against the guilty parties.

On the same day, criminal proceedings were initiated under Article 165, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code by the investigator, and motions for public criminal prosecution against the mentioned individuals were submitted to the prosecutor, which were granted. As of August 26, 2022, four individuals have been arrested: two under Article 357, Part 2, and two under Article 165, Part 2. Additional information regarding the details of the preliminary investigation will be provided.