Two Soldiers Arrested for Causing the Suicide of Soldier Zhora Karapetyan

The Military Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee has uncovered significant details regarding the death of soldier Zhora Karapetyan, following urgent actions taken at the eighth garrison investigative division.

On August 10, 2023, the RA Ministry of Defense reported that at approximately 6:50 PM, in the combat position of a military unit, soldier Zhora Karapetyan, who was off duty, attempted suicide with a firearm assigned to another soldier near a ground shelter.

The soldier was transferred to Ararat Medical Center and subsequently to a military hospital in Yerevan. A criminal case was initiated on the same day by the eighth garrison investigative division based on the attributes under Article 523, part 2, point 3 of the RA Criminal Code.

During the preliminary investigation, urgent evidence collection and procedural actions were conducted. Later, on the morning of August 11, the hospital reported that soldier Zhora Karapetyan had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

An inspection of the incident site was conducted, a forensic examination of the body was scheduled, and several individuals, including soldiers present at the combat position, were interrogated.

As a result of the urgent actions taken, on August 11, two fellow soldiers of Z. Karapetyan were arrested on suspicion of having carelessly caused the soldier's suicide during combat duty. Preliminary information obtained during the investigation indicated that the soldier's suicide was a result of behavior characteristic of non-statutory relations directed against him.

The investigation is ongoing. All necessary measures are being taken to clarify all circumstances surrounding the soldier's death and to legally assess the actions of all individuals involved.