Criminal Proceedings Initiated Following Azerbaijani Provocation

On April 11, 2023, reports were received from the Armenian Ministry of Defense's military unit N regarding the fatal shooting of soldiers Arthur Avetis Sahakyan, Mkrtich Armeni Harutyunyan, Narek Gagiki Sargsyan, and Henrik Vachagani Kocharyan near the combat positions adjacent to the village of Tegh in the Syunik province at approximately 15:40.

Six others sustained various degrees of injuries and were transported to medical facilities for treatment.

Based on these reports, the Military Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings under Articles 155 (Part 2, Points 1 and 15) and 44-155 (Part 2, Points 1 and 15) of the RA Criminal Code, which have been combined into one case. An investigative group has been established.

According to preliminary information obtained during the investigation, members of the Azerbaijani armed forces approached Armenian servicemen conducting engineering works at the border under the pretext of clarifying their deployment points, subsequently opening fire on Armenian soldiers motivated by racial, national, and ethnic hatred.

Additionally, the Azerbaijani armed forces subsequently fired at Armenian soldiers and combat positions using other types of weaponry. As a result of these unlawful actions by the Azerbaijani armed forces, four Armenian servicemen were killed, and six others sustained injuries of varying degrees.

An examination of the scene has been conducted, and the necessary forensic examinations have been appointed. All procedural and evidence-gathering measures are being undertaken to clarify the circumstances of the incident and to provide a full legal assessment of the unlawful actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces.