Detention Periods of Suspects in the Brutal Murders in Pemzashen Extended by Two Months Again

The detention periods of suspects Vruyr and Arkadi Barselyan, involved in the murders that took place in Pemzashen on November 9, have been extended by two months again. This information was confirmed by Gor Abrahamyan, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Armenia, in an interview with ‘Armenian Time’.

According to Sevak Meliksetyan, the father of the murdered family, he cannot discuss the progress of the investigation and the evidence gathered at this stage since he is not fully informed. However, he noted that Arkadi Barselyan continues to deny the charges against him. “Up until now, Arkadi is still denying it, but since he is detained, it means there is something, isn’t there? I cannot say anything clearly. There is a presumption of innocence, the investigation will reveal everything,” Sevak said.

According to our information, the main theory underpinning the investigation, which is also the basis for the charges, is the concealment of traces of another crime—robbery.

Vruyr Barselyan has been charged under Articles 155 (Murder) parts 2 (points 6, 8, and 13), 2 (points 3, 5, 6, and 13, two episodes), 252 (Robbery) part 3 (point 2), and 198 (Sexual Violence) part 4 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Arkadi Barselyan has been charged under Article 155 (Murder) part 2 (points 8 and 13) and Article 252 (Robbery) part 3 (point 2).

According to Sevak, the families of the suspects have not returned to the village since the incident. Sevak Meliksetyan, who returned from overseas work upon hearing the news of the murder, has not set foot in his home, as it is still considered a crime scene. When asked whether he would leave Armenia or not, he stated that he would not step out of the village until everything is clarified.