Criminal Proceedings Initiated Following Soldier's Death Due to Avalanche

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has issued a statement: “On January 13, 2023, a report was received from the Sisian branch of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, indicating that at around 12:30 PM on the same day, a conscript soldier B.M. had left the combat position to move to a nearby position as part of his permanent deployment. However, after 2:30 PM, in poor weather conditions, the soldier went missing from the sight of his fellow servicemen.

In connection with the report, on January 13, criminal proceedings were initiated at the third garrison investigative department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia under the second part of Article 550 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. An investigative group has been formed.

As a result of search operations conducted, on January 14, the body of B.M. was found under the snow in a gorge adjacent to the combat position. An inspection of the scene was carried out, and a forensic examination of the corpse has been ordered. Necessary and urgent investigative and procedural actions are being undertaken to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident.”