Former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army Mikael Arzumanyan, His Wife and Sons Sue the Ministry of Defense

Former Commander of the Defense Army Mikael Arzumanyan, who has been in custody for nearly two years in the National Security Service isolation facility, along with his wife Diana Davtyan and their sons Arsen and Albert Arzumanyan, have filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Defense.

According to information received by ArmLur.am, they are demanding that the court annul the administrative act No. 8 titled "Notice" issued on July 12, 2023, by the head of the Social Protection Department of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.

It is important to recall that Mikael Arzumanyan was detained in 2022 for his role as the commander of the Artsakh Defense Army during the 44-day war. He faces charges of military negligence regarding the organization of the defense of Shushi and surrounding areas.

The Investigative Committee alleges that during the last ten days of the war, while defending Shushi, he demonstrated negligence in his official duties, which allowed enemy armed forces to completely control the city and its outskirts. As a result, the Armenian side suffered casualties and injuries.

According to reports, Arzumanyan failed to order troops to be stationed in an unprotected sector of the Shushi defense line, despite having the necessary forces at his disposal, including regular army units consisting of 650 soldiers.

Law enforcement officials assert that prior to November 6, 2020, under Arzumanyan's signature, operational summaries presented the situation as manageable, even though by November 5, enemy groups had already managed to penetrate Shushi.

Mikael Arzumanyan denies the charges against him, and his trial is being conducted in the anti-corruption court.