Investigators Release New Details on Armed Incident Near Funeral Home in Vanadzor

On August 31, 2023, at 16:15, an unnamed citizen reported gunshots in Yerevanian Highway, Vanadzor. The same day at 16:51, the Vanadzor medical center reported that a 29-year-old resident of Vanadzor, Arthur Al., was admitted with a diagnosis of "lacerated wound to the left thigh, foreign body." The Investigative Committee has issued a statement providing further details.

“In relation to the incident, the Lorri regional investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has initiated a criminal case under Article 44-155, part 2, point 7, and Article 335, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, in which the young man has been recognized as a victim. During the pre-trial investigation, a number of significant circumstances of the case have been established, including the motive and the circle of individuals involved in the incident,” the report stated.

According to the obtained factual data, Vanadzor resident Alik H. had been in a tense and hostile relationship with Arshak A. from the village of Yeghengut due to a variety of personal issues, including a conflict regarding driving a vehicle owned by Arshak’s nephew, Arthur A., and certain insults directed at himself and his friend, Narek H.

In this context, motivated by revenge, Alik H., along with Narek H. and an unidentified individual, ambushed near the funeral home on Yerevanian Highway on August 31 with the intention of unlawfully taking Arshak A.’s life.

Upon seeing Arshak leave the funeral home with his friend Arthur Al. and nephew Arthur A., the trio approached Arshak’s vehicle in a BMW and opened fire using 'Makarov' and 'TT' pistols, injuring Arthur Al. and damaging a 'Nissan Teana' parked nearby, whose owner was inside the car at the time.

Arshak A. and his nephew Arthur A. returned fire, while Arthur Al. threw a non-explosive sound grenade at Alik H. and Narek H., preventing them from completing the crime. Various expert examinations, including forensic medical, ballistic, explosive-technical, material scientific, and traceological investigations have been appointed during the pre-trial investigation.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained, public criminal charges have been brought against four individuals. Alik H. and Narek H. have been charged under parts 2, points 7 and 8, and 1 of Article 335, while Arshak and Arthur A. have been charged under Article 335, part 1.

Petitions have been submitted to the court for choosing pre-trial detention as a measure of restraint for the aforementioned four persons, which have been granted. Given that they are hiding from the investigation and have not been found during the conducted operational search measures, they have been declared wanted.

The investigation is ongoing, with necessary procedural and investigative actions being taken, as well as operational-search and operational-identified measures aimed at clarifying the source of illegal weapons acquisition, discovering them, identifying the driver of the BMW, and the whereabouts of the accused, as well as bringing them before the prosecuting body,” the statement concluded.