Commanders Refused to Follow General Andranik Piloyan's Orders in October 2020

Colonel A.G., holding the position of commander of the Armenian Ministry of Defense's military unit N, openly refused to fulfill separate military duties on October 15, 2020, at 14:00, during the martial law declared by the government on September 27, 2020.

In particular, Colonel A.G., being the chief of all servicemen of the separate motorized rifle battalion of the Ministry of Defense, had the capability to halt the enemy's advance and expansion with all available military firepower, but on October 15, 2020, around 14:00, he did not comply with the verbal order of his immediate superior, Major General A.P., the commander of the “Piloyan” group, to confront the enemy and show resistance, as well as to lead the personnel of subordinate battalions.

A.G. justified his inaction by stating that he was in a state of moral and psychological depression and refused to go to the front line, thereby relinquishing his military duties during the martial law, which coincided with their actual non-performance.

In another criminal proceeding, it has been established that Lieutenant Colonel S.M., holding the position of commander of the 1st rifle battalion of the Ministry of Defense's military unit N, also openly refused to fulfill military duties on October 15, 2020, around 15:30, which was accompanied by their actual cessation.

Specifically, Lieutenant Colonel S.M., having the opportunity to use all means of military equipment to stop the enemy's advance and expansion during the declared state of martial law, failed to execute the verbal order from his immediate superior, Major General A.P., on October 15, 2020, around 15:30. He did not organize groups of servicemen, did not return to the battlefield, and blatantly refused to fulfill his military duties, which was accompanied by their actual cessation.

By the decision of the prosecutor, on May 31, 2023, public criminal prosecution was initiated against A.G. and S.M. under the third part of Article 364 of the Criminal Code adopted on April 18, 2003 (refusal to fulfill military duties).

On June 22, 2023, the supervising prosecutor approved the indictment and submitted the materials of the criminal case to the Syunik Regional First Instance General Jurisdiction Court.