Parents of Soldiers Who Died in Fire to Be Questioned Tomorrow: Norayr Norikyan

Parents of the soldiers who died in the fire that broke out on January 19 in the engineering troops barracks of the village of Azat, Gegharkunik Province, have been recognized as victims in the case. This was stated by the parents' representative, lawyer Norayr Norikyan, in an interview with News.am.

“Four of the parents will be questioned tomorrow. Essentially, clarity will emerge on several issues within a week,” Norikyan stated.

It should be noted that on January 19, around 01:30, a fire broke out in the barracks of the engineering troops stationed in the area of Azat village in Gegharkunik Province, resulting in the deaths of 15 conscript soldiers. Seven soldiers were transferred to the Vardenis Hospital, of which four were discharged after receiving medical assistance, while three were transferred to Yerevan with serious injuries at the National Burn Center.

Immediately following the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and seven other high-ranking military officials were dismissed.

It is important to mention that a criminal case was initiated regarding the fire under Article 532, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (violating the rules of handling weapons, military ammunition, military equipment, or other military property, as well as materials, devices, or objects that pose a greater danger to the environment, which negligently caused the death of two or more persons).

In this case, four military personnel hold the status of defendants, two of whom are in custody, one has been injured and is receiving treatment in the hospital, and for the other, the preventive measure of not leaving has been chosen.

Earlier, it was reported that the families of the soldiers who died in the fire do not believe the official version, which states that the fire was a result of negligence. They have doubts that their sons were murdered.