Yuri Minasyan Dies from Fist Blows: Investigative Committee Reveals Details

The Armenian Investigation Committee has reported that Yuri Minasyan passed away as a result of injuries sustained from fist blows. A report was received by the Police of the Republic of Armenia from a citizen stating that they were losing consciousness on A. Pushkin Street in Yerevan.

On the same day, at 02:36, a report was received from the 'Mkhitar Heratsi' University Hospital No. 1 that an unconscious individual had been transferred to them from A. Pushkin Street with a 'polytrauma' diagnosis. It was determined that the person was Yuri Minasyan, a resident of Yerevan.

In connection with the mentioned incident, a criminal case was initiated on March 6, 2024, by the Investigation Department of Yerevan for the Central and Norq-Marash administrative regions. Yuri Minasyan was recognized as a victim.

On March 6, 2024, a search was conducted at the scene at address 58 Pushkin Street, where blood-like traces were collected. A forensic medical examination was ordered. During the preliminary investigation, video recordings were examined with the participation of witnesses, several individuals were interrogated, and other evidential and procedural actions were taken.

The investigation revealed that Yuri Minasyan had been at the 'Beatles' club on Pushkin Street with his friends on the evening of March 5, where disagreements arose with another individual, identified as H.M., a resident of Yerevan. They went outside for clarification and moved to the backyard of St. Zoravor Church on Parpetzi Street. It was there that a dispute escalated into a fight, during which H.M. struck Yuri Minasyan in the face with his fists, causing severe combined cranioencephalic injuries, including multiple fractures of the skull. Minasyan was transported to the hospital in extremely critical condition.

Based on the obtained facts, on March 9, 2024, a request was submitted by the prosecuting authority to the Prosecutor's Office of the Central and Norq-Marash administrative regions to initiate public criminal proceedings against H.M. under the second part of Article 166 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (causing serious bodily harm to another person for hooliganistic motives), which was approved on the same day.

The Police were tasked with locating H.M. and presenting him to the prosecuting authority, but he has not yet been found.

On March 14, 2024, the 'Mkhitar Heratsi' University Hospital No. 1 reported that Yuri Minasyan had died at 06:30 that day. The same day, a request was submitted to the Prosecutor's Office to initiate new public criminal proceedings against H.M. under the second part of Article 166, points 10 and 15 (causing serious bodily harm to another person for hooliganistic motives, which negligently resulted in the death of the victim), which was approved on the same day.

A request was submitted to the first-instance general jurisdiction criminal court of Yerevan for the application of detention as a preventive measure against the accused. The preliminary investigation continues. Measures are being taken to locate H.M. and fully clarify the circumstances of the case.