40-50 Individuals Assaulted 65-Year-Old Man and His Son at 'Galusti Dzor', Resisting Police

On October 20, 2023, reports were received from the Police Department of Ashtarak regarding an incident that occurred in the 'Galusti Dzor' recreational area located in the Kasakh Gorge of Ashtarak city. Police officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving a report about a dispute, as stated by the Investigative Committee.

During the questioning of a 65-year-old resident of Ashtarak and his son regarding the incident, 40-50 individuals approached the recreational area from the asphalt road, shouting sexual insults and armed with stones and bottles filled with water, which they threw in the direction of the father and son.

The approaching individuals ignored the legal demands of the police officers to cease illegal activities and resorted to violence against the 65-year-old resident of Ashtarak and his son, physically assaulting the police officers. Some of the items thrown by them also hit the police officers.

Among the attackers, several individuals pulled the 65-year-old citizen to the ground and struck him with stones, hands, and feet on various parts of his body, during which his son fired several shots from a handgun.

As a result, two residents—one 52 years old from Ashtarak and another 26 years old from Ujan village—sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs and were transported to a medical facility.

On the same day, the Aragatsotn regional investigative department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case under Article 166, Part 2, Clause 6; Article 297, Part 3; Article 335, Part 1; and Article 452, Part 4, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia and undertook urgent investigative and procedural actions.

During the examination of the crime scene, bullets, two knives, one baton, and other objects were found. The firearm, identified as the instrument of the crime, was seized by the police.

During the pre-investigation, dozens of individuals were interrogated, searches were conducted, and forensic examinations were appointed. Based on reasonable suspicion of committing a crime, 11 individuals were arrested by the prosecuting body. The preliminary investigation continues.