The Authorities Are Doing Everything to Cover Up the Soldiers' Deaths in Azat”, Norikian

The Armenian authorities are doing everything to cover up the case of the military personnel who died in the village of Azat in the Gegharkunik province. This was stated today, October 3, at a press conference by Norair Norikian, the lawyer of the parents of the deceased soldiers.

According to Norikian, a hearing regarding the case of the fallen servicemen will take place on October 4 in Vardenis. The investigation concluded at the end of August; on the 29th of the month, the investigator sent 22 volumes of the criminal case (approximately 300 pages each) in scanned form via email.

“Moreover, through me, the parents were informed that they have 3 days to familiarize themselves with the case materials. After that, they can submit motions or complaints if any exist,” said Norikian. On August 30, the lawyer met with the investigator along with the parents and demanded that adequate time be granted to review the materials, which totaled around 7000 pages. However, according to Norikian, the investigator refused.

Following this, the injured party submitted a motion to the prosecutor's office to replace the investigator. “On September 1, the decision from the prosecutor's office to dismiss the motion was received. And, in fact, on the same day, the case was sent to court,” said Norikian.

He stated that the prosecutor's office and the preliminary investigation body exhibited unreasonable urgency and unclear interest in sending the case to court, grossly violating the rights of the victims.

“The state has done everything to ensure that this crime is not uncovered thoroughly, that those responsible are not revealed, and that the official version is crystallized and presented to the public,” said Norikian. He noted that the parents do not rule out the possibility of submitting a motion for an additional examination after receiving the conclusions from the initial fire-technical and explosive-technical examinations. But they have been deprived of that opportunity.

“The injured party responsibly declares that everything has been done by the competent authorities in this case to cover up the events, and every possible effort is being made to ensure that no real steps are taken towards uncovering the truth,” said Norikian.

Recall that on January 19, around 01:30, a fire broke out at the barracks of the engineering battalion of the Armenian Ministry of Defense in Azat village in the Gegharkunik region. As a result of the fire, 15 soldiers lost their lives, and 7 were injured. Immediately after the incident, two high-ranking military officials, including the commander of the 2nd army corps, were dismissed from their posts.

A criminal case was initiated under Article 532, Part 4 of the RA Criminal Code (violating the rules for handling weapons, military ammunition, military equipment, or other objects that pose a greater danger to the environment, which negligently caused the death of two or more persons). A criminal case has also been initiated regarding the apparent negligence of officials in adhering to established fire safety regulations and performing related functions. Gor Agekian, the deputy head-commander of the rear service of the military unit, has been arrested in this case. A criminal case has also been opened against a serviceman who was affected by the fire, E.H., and the commander of the engineering battalion, G.M.