Dialect-related Altercation Leads to Murder in Gyumri: Suspect Arrested

On the night of August 6, 2023, the Police of the Republic of Armenia received a report regarding a knife-related injury at the Gyumri Medical Center. A 40-year-old resident of Gyumri, born in 1983, stated that he sustained his injury while intervening in a situation where a friend was being stabbed. This was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

On the same day, the medical center reported that the body of a man, approximately 36 years old, was found in the center's yard, sustaining knife wounds to his ribs. It was later identified as 36-year-old A. Sardarayan.

On August 6, 2023, the Shirak regional investigative department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated criminal proceedings under the first part of Article 155 and the first point of the first part of Article 167 of the Armenian Criminal Code.

During the investigation, it was established that on August 5, 2023, at around 11:30 PM, a quarrel occurred related to dialect differences between two employees at a restaurant in Gyumri. The dispute continued after work, involving other individuals, along the road leading to 'Fish Valley.' The conversation escalated into a violent argument, during which one participant struck a 30-year-old man in the right hand with a sharp object, injuring A. Sardarayan in the abdomen, before fleeing the scene. A. Sardarayan succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.

Both the injured individual and the deceased Sardarayan have been recognized as victims. The investigation included an examination of the crime scene, where samples of blood-like substances were collected, along with a bat and other items potentially related to the altercation. Forensic examinations have been commissioned, and video footage relevant to the incident from the restaurant was seized.

In order to ascertain significant details of the case and locate the person who committed the apparent crime, the investigative body was tasked with conducting operational investigative measures.

As a result of immediate actions, the individual, a 36-year-old man from the Masis enlarged community, was located in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia and presented to the pursuing body, where he was subsequently arrested.

The investigation continues.