Identity of Suspect in Attack on Jewish Synagogue in Yerevan Revealed

On June 10, 2024, a report was received from a private individual at the police department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, stating that during the night of the same day, an unknown person attacked the Jewish religious center located on Nar-Dosi Street in Yerevan, striking and breaking the window glass of the center, causing property damage.

The Investigative Committee reports that after the materials related to the report were compiled, the police were instructed by the investigative division of the Erebuini and Nubarashen administrative districts of the Investigative Committee of Armenia to take appropriate measures to clarify the actual circumstances of the incident, the identity of the person who allegedly committed the crime, as well as the motives and reasons behind the alleged crime.

As a result of operational and investigative measures, it was determined that the incident took place on June 10 at 01:43. The 35-year-old resident of Artashat city struck the window of the 'Jewish Religious' center's office with a stone and subsequently fled the scene. The individual in question has been presented to the prosecuting authority by the police.

On June 15, 2024, the Erebuini and Nubarashen administrative districts of the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case under Article 146, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The 35-year-old man gave a self-incriminating testimony, and necessary investigative actions were conducted with his participation.

An examination of the crime scene revealed that the window of the Jewish religious organization at 23 Nar-Dos street was broken, and two stones were found on the ground and confiscated. The contents of surveillance devices covering the area, which pertained to the incident, were seized and analyzed.

The investigation found that the motive behind the suspect's act of striking the window of the religious institution and causing property damage was rooted in national and ethnic hatred.

On June 17, 2024, a request was submitted to the supervising prosecutor to initiate public criminal proceedings against the 35-year-old man under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, which was approved, and he was charged. A request was also submitted to the court for the selection of detention as a measure of restraint, which was denied, and the measure of restraint selected against him was a prohibition against leaving.