Two Colleagues Arrested in Connection with Deceased Soldier's Case

On February 19, several details have been clarified regarding the death of soldier H.P. at a combat outpost.

According to the Investigative Committee, it was determined that during two consecutive shifts at the combat post between January and February 2023, contract soldier N.M., the commander of the outpost, and his assistant H.A. subjected individual soldiers on duty, including H.P., to ridicule. In some instances, they directed sexually charged insults at the soldiers as related to their official duties, thereby humiliating their honor and dignity. In some cases, they physically assaulted two of the soldiers with their hands and feet.

Based on the alleged characteristics of other offenses discovered during the initial investigation, a new criminal case has been initiated under Article 519, Part 3, 1st Clause of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, Article 520, Part 3, 1st Clause, and Article 524, Part 2, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Clauses, and this has been combined with the criminal case initiated regarding the soldier's death.

Based on the evidence gathered, the prosecutorial body has submitted motions to the supervising prosecutor regarding the prosecution of contract soldier N.M., responsible for the combat post, and private soldier H.A., which have been granted.

N.M. has been charged under Article 522, Part 2, Clauses 1, 2, and 3, Article 520, Part 3, 1st Clause, and Article 524, Part 2, 2nd Clause (3 episodes), while H.A. has been charged under Article 522, Part 2, Clauses 1 and 3, and Article 519, Part 3, 1st Clause.

Petitions have been submitted to the court to choose detention as a measure of restraint for the accused, which have been satisfied.

It is noteworthy that mandatory conscript H.P. from military unit N of the Ministry of Defense was found on February 19 at approximately 12:45 PM with a gunshot wound to the head and was admitted to the Ijevan Medical Center deceased. According to preliminary data, H.P. died as a result of a shot fired from his assigned automatic rifle to the head area.