New Criminal Proceedings Launched in Connection with the Tragic Fire at a Military Barracks

On January 19, in a fire incident that claimed the lives of 15 servicemen, public criminal proceedings have been initiated against G.M., the commander of the engineering reconnaissance company of the Defense Ministry's N military unit. This information has been provided by the Prosecutor's Office.

Specifically, on January 19, 2023, shortly after midnight, G.M., who was responsible for the duty period as an officer of the engineering service of the N military unit, violated regulations by igniting the stove in the barracks located at 20th house, 1st street of the village of Azat in Gegharkunik province with gasoline, resulting in a fire.

Due to the absence of appropriate fire safety measures, the servicemen in the barracks were unable to extinguish the fire and, under conditions of no emergency exit, could not break the iron bars fixed to the windows to escape.

The criminal proceedings against G.M. have been initiated under Article 550, Part 3 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to military negligence leading to the death of a person. The act specified under Part 3 of this article is punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to ten years.

It is worth recalling that the Ministry of Defense reported that on January 19, around 01:30, a fire broke out under unknown circumstances in the barracks of the engineering reconnaissance company of the N military unit located in the territory of Azat village, Gegharkunik province. As a result of this fire, 15 servicemen lost their lives, and 3 were injured. There are detained individuals in connection with this case.