Violent Assault and Random Gunfire: Details Revealed about Armed Attack in Artik

On February 9, 2024, a report was received from a resident of Artik, Shirak Province, along with accompanying documents. It detailed an incident that occurred on the same day around 09:45. Four masked individuals, armed with black umbrellas and presenting themselves as employees of the National Security Service of Armenia, forcibly pulled the victim and his 32-year-old son and made them enter an ‘Opel Astra’ vehicle operated by them.

Subsequently, they took gold jewelry valued at 40,000,000 AMD from the interior of the son’s ‘Mercedes-Benz S500’, intended for sale at their shop, and drove them to near the Artik municipal stadium.

According to the received report, during this time, the individuals subjected both the father and son to severe beatings, fired random shots from a firearm, struck them on the head with the handle of a weapon, causing bodily harm, and then fled the scene using the aforementioned vehicle.

In connection with the incident, on February 9, 2024, a criminal case was initiated at the Shirak Regional Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia under Article 252, Part 3, Clause 3 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (theft committed with robbery by stealing culturally significant items) and Article 335, Part 1 (illegal circulation of firearms and ammunition). An investigation is underway.

A dedicated investigative group has been formed, with both the father and son recognized as victims and questioned. Crime scene examinations have been conducted, and forensic examinations have been appointed. The Artik division of the police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been instructed to undertake operational and investigative measures.

Necessary and urgent extensive actions are being taken to gather information about the individuals who allegedly committed the crime, to locate them, and to comprehensively clarify all circumstances of the case.