Soldier Shot in Right Leg Over Theft of One Can of Food

The investigation and procedural actions conducted by the special investigations department of the Armenian Investigative Committee have revealed the circumstances surrounding the serious bodily injury inflicted on a conscript soldier and the concealment of this incident. According to a report received on December 4, 2022, a conscript soldier, Private G.H., involved in combat duty at Military Unit N of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg from a firearm designated as "AK-74" and was subsequently hospitalized.

A criminal case was initiated under Part 1 of Article 528 of the Armenian Criminal Code at the military investigative department of the Investigative Committee's main branch. Following instructions from the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, the investigation continued within the special investigations department. During the preliminary investigation, extensive procedural and evidential measures were taken, which clarified that Senior Lieutenant G.B., an officer and commander at Military Unit N, was aware on December 3, 2022, of an incident concerning the illicit theft of one box of food supplies by conscript soldiers G.P. and G.H., which had been allocated to them in mid-November and was not intended for sale. Together with Junior Sergeant A.M. and Privates A.M. and K.A., he inflicted violence against G.P. through physical assaults.

Following this, an argument arose between G.P. and Private G.H. regarding the theft of the food supplies. G.B. then went to the location of G.H., retrieved the "AK-74" firearm, and shot G.H. in the right leg, causing serious bodily harm. G.B., who was required to immediately report the crime to higher command, violated several provisions of the RA Armed Forces Internal Service Regulations by failing to fulfill his official duties and not reporting the occurred crime to superiors.

Based on the request of the prosecutorial body, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against G.B. under Part 2, Points 1 and 3 of Article 549 of the RA Criminal Code, against Private G.P. under Part 1 of Article 254, Part 1 of Article 521, and Part 2, Point 6 of Article 166, while Junior Sergeant A.M. was charged under Part 3, Point 1 of Article 520 of the RA Criminal Code. Pretrial detention was chosen as a measure of restraint for G.P. and G.B., while A.M. was entrusted to command supervision.

The investigation is ongoing. Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law and by a court verdict that has entered into legal force.