Shepherd Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering Another Shepherd Near Amberd Fortress

On September 25, 2023, a report was received from a resident of the Areguni community in Aragatsotn Province stating that one shepherd had called to inform that another shepherd had been killed near Amberd Fortress. This information was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

In connection with the incident, a criminal case has been initiated under Article 155, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code at the Aragatsotn Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee.

As part of the preliminary investigation, urgent investigative and procedural actions were undertaken, and in collaboration with police officers, several significant circumstances regarding the incident were revealed, including the motive and the identity of the individual suspected of committing the crime, who is a 57-year-old resident of Charencavan.

He was found and arrested hours later based on a well-founded suspicion of having committed the murder. He was presented to the conducting authority and interrogated, providing a confession and detailing the incident.

According to preliminary data, on the day of the incident, there was a dispute between the 58-year-old victim and the individual who allegedly committed the crime over domestic issues. During this altercation, the latter shot the victim with a hunting rifle, causing life-threatening bodily injuries.

During the investigation, interviews were conducted, a scene of the crime inspection was performed, samples were collected, and forensic medical, forensic genetic, and forensic ballistics complex examinations were assigned. Relevant instructions have been issued to the appropriate division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.