Man Attacks Police Chief in Jermuk with Metal Rod and Flees

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has launched a criminal case to determine all the circumstances surrounding the physical assault on the Police Chief of Jermuk and the use of hooliganism and illegal possession of gas weapons and ammunition.

It was reported that on June 17, 2023, around 5:00 PM, in the area of a gas station on Yerevan Highway in Jermuk, a 31-year-old resident of Jermuk, G. Khachatryan, approached a high-ranking official of the Police Department of Jermuk, filming with his mobile phone, and made vulgar gestures at him. The police officer urged him not to film, but the citizen continued his actions, resulting in a scuffle during which he insulted the officer and struck him with his hands on various parts of his body. During the scuffle, the police officer noticed that the citizen had a pistol, which fell to the ground.

During this time, G. Khachatryan's 35-year-old brother, S. Khachatryan, approached the scene with a metal rod, shouting insults, and struck the police chief on the back and buttocks with the rod as well as with his hands and feet, while accusing the officer of fabricating criminal cases against them. The incident ceased only with the intervention of gas station staff and bystanders, while the brothers fled the scene.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 195, Part 2, Point 1, Article 297, Part 2, and Article 335, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, which has been combined with other proceedings concerning the said individuals, who have the status of defendants.

During the preliminary investigation, necessary investigative and procedural actions were carried out including searches, during which 76 bullets of 7.62 mm caliber were found in S. Khachatryan's vehicle, and the aforementioned pistol and the metal rod, with which the police officer was attacked, were discovered at the scene. For the purpose of clarifying significant circumstances of the criminal proceedings, forensic medical and forensic ballistic examinations have been appointed.

According to the expert’s conclusion, the pistol found at the scene and belonging to G. Khachatryan is a gas weapon. As a result of operational-search and operational-investigative measures, the brothers were located and presented to the investigating authority. Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against them.

One of the brothers, S. Khachatryan, has been charged under Article 195, Part 2, Points 1 and 5, Article 297, Part 1, and Article 2, Points 1 and 3, as well as Article 335, Part 1, while the other, G. Khachatryan, is charged under Article 195, Part 2, Points 1 and 5, Article 297, Part 1, and Article 2, Points 1 and 3, as well as Article 334, Part 1 of the Criminal Code. They have been placed in custody as a measure of restraint. The investigation is ongoing.