Key Circumstances of the Murder of a Student from Yerevan State College of Informatics Revealed

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia is conducting an investigation in the Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan to fully clarify the circumstances surrounding the murder of a student from the Yerevan State College of Informatics.

On March 12, 2024, at 12:15 PM, the Arabkir police received a report from a medical center that a 17-year-old resident of Yerevan had been brought in with multiple, including stab and cut, bleeding injuries to various parts of his body. Medical personnel took necessary measures; however, the young man could not be saved, and his death was recorded on the same day at 1:00 PM.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 155, Part 2, Point 5 of the RA Criminal Code, and the investigative team has been tasked with carrying out the pre-investigation process. During the investigation, immediate investigative and procedural actions were completed, revealing that the incident occurred near the mentioned college, at 52/3 Mamikonyants Street in Yerevan.

During the site inspection, traces of blood-like substances, recordings from surveillance cameras, and interviews with several witnesses were collected for investigation. Forensic medical, forensic trace, and biological examinations have been appointed.

The measures undertaken during the investigation have established the motive for the murder, as well as the identity of the person allegedly committing the crime, who is a Yerevan resident born in 2003. Preliminary data indicate that there had been ongoing disagreements and hostile relations between the victim and the alleged perpetrator regarding a personal issue, which resulted in several altercations, one of which involved a 21-year-old damaging a car owned by the victim’s father.

Days before the incident, another argument took place where the 17-year-old insulted the 21-year-old, who subsequently threatened him in retaliation. On March 12, 2024, around 11:30 AM, the 17-year-old was present with a friend near a food stand adjacent to the college when 6-7 young men, including the 21-year-old, rushed toward him. One of these individuals was armed with a wooden stick, while the 21-year-old had a knife. A confrontation ensued, during which the 21-year-old stabbed the 17-year-old multiple times, causing him to fall. The group then continued to kick the victim while he was on the ground, and the 21-year-old stabbed him further.

With the intervention of individuals gathered at the scene, the fighting ceased, and the 6-7 assailants fled. As a result of urgent investigative actions taken during the investigation, significant evidence was gathered, leading to the initiation of another criminal proceeding under Article 297, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code, which has been combined with the proceeding initiated for murder due to the need for an objective and comprehensive investigation.

A public criminal prosecution has been launched against the 21-year-old under Article 155, Part 2, Point 5, and Article 297, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code. On the same day, a decision was made to arrest him and present him to the court, with the task assigned to the Arabkir division of the RA Police.

The investigation is ongoing. Efforts are being made to identify, locate, and present the other individuals involved in the incident to the prosecuting authority. The investigation body has been given instructions to conduct operational and investigative measures.

Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court judgment, as stipulated by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.