41-Year-Old Stabbed Individual Was Not on Duty, Investigative Committee Reports on Murder in Little Masrik

On February 21, 2024, at 19:15, a call was received by the police department of Vardenis from the "Vardenis" Medical Center regarding two citizens who had sought medical assistance in a stab-wounded condition. The individuals, brothers, were assessed as being in severe health condition. One of the victims, who was later transferred to the medical center, succumbed to life-threatening injuries without regaining consciousness on the same day.

As a result of the measures undertaken, on February 21, 2024, a 19-year-old resident registered in one of the settlements of the enlarged community of Vardenis was detained by police officers and subsequently presented to the prosecuting authority, according to the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

In connection with the incident, a criminal case was initiated on February 21, 2024, at the Vardenis investigative division of the Gegharkunik regional investigative administration of the Investigative Committee, based on reports of apparent crimes and related documents, under articles 155.1, 44-155.1, and 195.2.5 of the RA Criminal Code for two qualifying episodes.

During the pre-trial investigation, factual data surfaced indicating that on the specified date, on the road leading from Little Masrik village in Gegharkunik province to Arpunk village, the 19-year-old individual allegedly stabbed two brothers aged 41 and 37 during a disagreement arising from personal matters, using a folding knife, resulting in the death of the 41-year-old brother in the hospital.

A decision has been made to arrest the 19-year-old on the grounds of reasonable suspicion for murder and attempted murder. A scene examination was conducted, during which a blood-stained piece of wood was discovered and seized. Relevant examinations have been ordered.

The arrested individual has provided a confession. The possible murder weapon, the knife, has also been seized. The investigation is ongoing. According to available preliminary data, the altercation and subsequent stabbing are not related to the official duties of the 41-year-old victim, who was not on duty at the time of the incident.