Criminal Charges Filed Against Battalion Engineering Service Chief in Barracks Fire Case

The Investigation Committee's Military Investigation Department has initiated public criminal prosecution against T.G., the head of the engineering service of military unit N of the RA Ministry of Defense, under Article 550, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code (military official negligence resulting in death) on February 16, 2023, based on its own initiative. This information was reported by the Prosecutor General's Office.

T.G., being responsible for the material provision of the subordinate unit entrusted to him, was obliged to ensure full security with armaments, military equipment, and other material resources, maintain accurate information on the availability of armaments, military equipment, and other material resources within the necessary unit, and timely request and organize the receipt and handover of material resources. Moreover, he was responsible for ensuring compliance with fire safety requirements and monitoring their implementation in the engineering assault battalion of military unit N.

Due to his negligent and careless attitude towards the performance of his official duties, he failed to fulfill the aforementioned obligations, including providing the engineering assault battalion of military unit N with appropriate fire protection measures. As a result, he carelessly caused the death of one or more individuals.

Specifically, on January 19, 2023, shortly after midnight, the officer of the engineering service of military unit N, responsible for the assembly period, violated established regulations by lighting a stove with gasoline in the barrack designated for the personnel of the aforementioned unit located at house 20 on 1st Street in the village of Azat, Gegharkunik region. Consequently, a fire broke out in the barracks.

Due to the absence of appropriate fire protection measures, the servicemen in the barracks were not only unable to extinguish the fire but also, given the lack of an emergency exit, were unable to break the iron bars on the windows and escape. As a result, 15 contract servicemen resting in the barracks lost their lives, while the officer and four contract servicemen sustained varying degrees of bodily injuries.