Investigation into Pembzashen Murder Case: Cousin of Vruyr Barseghyan Interrogated for Possible Involvement

On November 9, a horrific murder occurred in the village of Pembzashen, Shirak Province, where a 31-year-old woman, her 12-year-old daughter, and her 8-year-old son were found dead. Recently, the aunt of one of the suspects, Vruyr Barseghyan, has been interrogated in connection with the case, according to the Investigative Committee.

It has been reported that this individual is indeed the aunt of Vruyr Barseghyan, a suspect in the case, and there are allegations circulating in the media that she may have also been involved in the crime by attempting to conceal evidence.

The heinous crime was discovered when authorities located the bodies of the victims in their residence: the mother, identified as Zarine, aged 31, along with her two children—a 12-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. Following the investigation, a 32-year-old man from Shirak Province was detained on November 12 on suspicion of murder, where he provided a self-incriminating confession. The next day, a second suspect, a 36-year-old man, was arrested as well. Both suspects are related, married, and have children.

The victim’s husband was out of the country for work in Russia and returned following the tragic incident. The Investigative Committee theorizes that the motive behind the murders was robbery.

The 32-year-old suspect has been charged under multiple articles of the Armenian Criminal Code, including Article 155, Sections 2(6), 2(8), 2(13), and Articles 252 and 198 concerning robbery and sexual violence, respectively. The 41-year-old suspect faces charges under Article 155, Sections 2(8), 2(13), and Article 252, Section 3(2).