Metal Pipes Stolen from ‘Yerablur’ Military Pantheon: Charges Filed Against Three Individuals

On November 15, 2023, around 09:30, a theft occurred in the territory of the ‘Yerablur’ military pantheon memorial complex of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia. Fourteen pieces of 100 mm diameter metal pipes, each 4 meters long, were stolen from the pantheon. These pipes had been dismantled the previous day by workers from the maintenance and servicing department for storage in the ‘Yerablur’ military pantheon’s storage facility, with the intent to hand them over to the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

In response to the incident, a criminal case has been initiated at the fourth garrison investigative department of the Military Investigative Committee of Armenia, based on Article 254, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. As a result of investigative actions conducted during the pre-trial investigation and operational-search measures undertaken by the employees of the Yerevan RO of the Ministry of Defense, the identities of the individuals suspected of committing the crime were established. One of the suspects is a 48-year-old resident of Yerevan, another is a 38-year-old resident of Ararat province, and the third suspect, aged 51, has no registered residence.

During the site inspection, it was revealed that dismantling work on the pipes had been carried out at the back of the military pantheon on a hill. The pipes had been cut and brought down close to the road for later transportation to storage. It was discovered that the resident of Yerevan had previously promised to sell the stolen pipes, after which the residents of Ararat and the 51-year-old man stole the pipes from the ‘Yerablur’ military pantheon and sold them to another resident of Yerevan for 40,000 AMD. Within the framework of the case, a search was conducted at the latter's residence, which resulted in the recovery of the stolen items.

Furthermore, during the pre-trial investigation, additional episodes of criminal activity were revealed. In particular, during a personal search of the arrested 48-year-old resident of Yerevan, a folding knife with an 8.5 cm blade, 0.50 grams and 1.65 grams of various greenish substances in different packages, and a mass resembling methamphetamine weighing 0.34 grams were discovered. Additionally, a glass cylinder suitable for smoking and two paper rolls, one weighing 0.32 grams and the other 0.68 grams, were found. The investigation also uncovered information suggesting that he had illegally sold “Marijuana” and “Crystal” type drugs to the aforementioned resident of Ararat province at different times and for various amounts.

A criminal case has been initiated at the fourth garrison investigative department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, under Article 393, Part 2, Point 2, and Article 396, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which has been joined to the aforementioned case on the same day. A forensic examination has been appointed to determine the composition of the discovered substances.

Based on the obtained sufficient evidence, charges have been filed against the 48-year-old resident of Yerevan under Part 2, Point 1 of Article 254 and Part 2, Point 2 of Article 393 of the Criminal Code, while the 38-year-old resident of Ararat province and the 51-year-old man have been charged under Part 2, Point 1 of Article 254.

Notice: An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court decision, in accordance with the rules established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia.