Striking Discrepancy: Two Accused in Arson Case Free While Two Remain in Custody

The lawyer of Gor Aghekyan, the deputy commander of the rear and communal exploitation service of the detained military unit, has stated that there is no causal connection between the charges brought against his client and the incident. In an interview with NEWS.am, lawyer Zhora Hambardzumyan emphasized this point.

"The indictment claims that there was no fire extinguisher in the barracks, but the preliminary investigation body must justify whether the use of a fire extinguisher could have halted the violent fire. The outbreak and spread of the fire were so intense that extinguishers would not have played a role. The heater was fueled with prohibited material, leading to the fire, meaning we have an action and a consequence. If Goh Aghekyan were charged with damage to property, it might still be reasonable, but the connection to the soldiers' deaths and the notion of inactivity is not justifiable," he stated.

Hambardzumyan expressed confusion over the fact that of the four officers accused in the same case, two are free while two are in custody. "Many questions arise as to why the prosecuting authority exhibits such a selective approach. Thus, according to the preliminary investigation body, Goh Aghekyan and Marlian Sarkisyan might obstruct the investigation and influence witnesses, while Gor Margaryan and Tigran Ghazaryan cannot," he noted.

It is recalled that on January 19, around 01:30, a fire broke out in the barracks of the engineering platoon of a military unit located in the territory of the village of Azat, Gegharkunik region, resulting in the deaths of 15 conscripts. Seven servicemen were injured. Hours after the tragedy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the official version during a government session, stating that an officer poured gasoline on the heater, and when the fire spread to him, he threw a 5-liter container of gasoline towards the barracks in what he described as a 'self-defense instinct,' which caused the fire.