The Surmalu Case Has Been Sent to Court: Who Are the Three Accused?

The criminal proceedings regarding the explosion that took place on August 14 of last year at the Surmalu shopping center have been sent to court. This information has been published in the 'Datacom' judicial information system.

The accused are Vahagn Hovhannisyan, who leased space in the center, along with his associates Garik Vardanian and Mher Margaryan. Judge Gagik Poghosyan has been appointed to the case, with the date for the hearing yet to be specified.

The case was filed on August 15. Charges have been brought against Vahagn Gevorgi Hovhannisyan for allegedly violating fire safety regulations, which led to the explosion that resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals on August 14, 2022, and caused significant damage including the collapse of the shopping center and extensive injuries to numerous persons.

Specifically, Hovhannisyan is accused of entering into a contract with Irina Edwardi Madatova, the director of the Yerevan Canned Foods Factory, to lease an area at the Surmalu shopping center and failing to ensure its safe use. The explosion occurred due to a violation of fire safety laws.

Garik Arkady Vardanian faces similar charges for being Hovhannisyan's associate and contributing to the negligent storage of explosive materials without anticipating the resulting danger.

Likewise, Mher Varuzhany Margaryan, also a friend of Hovhannisyan, is accused of cooperating in the hazardous storage practices that led to tragic outcomes.