Two Officials Arrested in Connection with 'Ural' Truck Accident

The investigation continues at the 9th Military Investigation Division of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia regarding the car accident involving an 'Ural' truck on April 12, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of four servicemen and injuries to 19 others.

On April 12, 2024, at 3:25 PM, while changing combat duty, the personnel of the combat position of Military Unit No. N of the RA Ministry of Defense transported themselves to the combat position using an 'Ural' truck, which subsequently veered off into a ravine. As a result, four servicemen were killed, and 19 others sustained injuries of varying severity and were taken to the hospital.

Through extensive investigative actions, several significant circumstances regarding the incident and its causes have been clarified. Specifically, it has been preliminarily established that the conscript driving the mentioned vehicle transferred the personnel from the military unit's permanent deployment location to the combat position of the military unit, where the vehicle was parked on a sloped area. This action violated the requirements of the regulations governing the automobile service of the RA Armed Forces, which stipulate that vehicles must be parked on level ground with good visibility.

Afterward, part of the personnel in the vehicle changed positions with those at the combat position, and the replaced personnel, without proper gear, entered the 'Ural' truck. According to the same regulations, moving the vehicle is only permitted after the engine has been warmed up. In this case, the vehicle's engine was not started or warmed up while stationary; instead, it was brought into motion using the transmission without starting the engine. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered to the right off the busy road and fell into the ravine, leading to the deaths and injuries of the servicemen on board.

The engine was started in this manner due to the truck's battery being unserviceable. It has been established that the 'Ural' vehicle, which is registered with the Ministry of Defense, passed a technical inspection in October 2023 and was deemed operational. However, the batteries, which had been operational since 2018, should have been replaced by 2022. It was found that the relevant act for the further use of those batteries was absent from the internal commission of the military unit, and under these conditions, they were not replaced.

Data received during the investigation indicate that responsible officials of Military Unit No. N of the Ministry of Defense violated vehicle operation rules, disregarding several provisions of the internal service regulations of the RA Armed Forces, the automobile service regulations, and the law on ensuring road traffic safety. Specifically, while being aware of the technical issues with the 'Ural' truck, as well as the fact that the braking system's necessary air supply had not been maintained due to the failure to start the engine as required, they allowed the vehicle to operate on April 12, 2024.

Based on sufficient evidence, charges have been brought against the conscript driver and two relevant officials of the military unit under part 4 of Article 538 of the RA Criminal Code. Preventive measures have been chosen for the mentioned officials in the form of arrest. The investigation is ongoing.

Notice: An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, by a court verdict that has entered into legal force.