Director of 'Sourmalu' Trade Center Arrested

Approximately 7 months after the tragic explosion at 'Sourmalu', the trade center's director Irina Madatova has been arrested. This information was confirmed to Sputnik Armenia by the prosecutor's office. However, details regarding the charges against the director have not yet been disclosed.

Recall that the explosion at the 'Sourmalu' trade center occurred on August 14, 2022, around 13:23, resulting in the deaths of 16 people.

On September 30, it became known that by the decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Gegham Shahbazyan was relieved of his duties as the head of the Urban Development, Technical and Fire Safety Inspection Body. Subsequently, on October 3, Arthur Asoyan was dismissed from his position as the head of the Coordination Office of Inspection Bodies.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 357, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (violation of fire safety rules or requirements, causing death or other serious consequences through negligence) and Article 165, Part 2 (causing the death of two or more persons through negligence).

In the initiated criminal proceedings, one of the four defendants is the deputy director of the 'Yerevan Canned Goods Factory' LLC (which operates the 'Sourmalu' trade center), while the other three are individuals involved in operating the warehouse.