Decision Made to Re-Arrest Grigoryan Released in Ara Mkhitaryan Case

The Court of Appeal has overturned the decision of the Yeghvard Court, which had conditionally released the only convict in the case of Colonel Ara Mkhitaryan, who died from severe beating in the town of Yeghknadzor, Vayots Dzor Province. The convict, former provincial governor Trdad Sargsyan's assistant Harutyun Grigoryan, had been conditionally released early. This information was reported by Colonel Mkhitaryan's father, Samvel Mkhitaryan, in a conversation with 168.am.

"The Court of Appeal annulled the Yeghvard Court's verdict and decided to re-arrest Harutyun Grigoryan. They had submitted for cassation and received a letter stating that their application was denied. Now, I don’t know when they will re-arrest him. When I spoke with my lawyer, he said it depended on the executor. I just want it to be covered and shown that he is being held," Samvel Mkhitaryan clarified.

Colonel Mkhitaryan was brutally assaulted on September 18, 2019, in Yeghknadzor, Vayots Dzor Province. The charge was brought against Harutyun Grigoryan, the assistant of the former governor of Vayots Dzor, while his brother, Zaven Grigoryan, was also in the status of a defendant. A week after the incident, Vayots Dzor governor Trdad Sargsyan resigned, who, according to circulated information and certain testimonies, was present at the scene and had immediate involvement in the incident. Nevertheless, no charges were brought against Trdad Sargsyan. The Investigative Committee reported that Sargsyan was not a witness to the argument that took place on September 17, 2019, and was not at the crime scene.

Harutyun Grigoryan himself submitted a request to the conditional early release commission, asking to be released, as relatives informed that the basis for his release was his good behavior in the correctional facility.

Colonel Mkhitaryan's brother, Karen Mkhitaryan, noted that the current discussion is about Harutyun Grigoryan's early release by seven months. "As for the rest – changes in articles, etc., will be seen in the process," added Karen Mkhitaryan, then addressing the last remaining defendant in this case, stating, "If Nikol keeps Trdad, the rest will certainly not come forward." According to him, the situation will change if this government does not exist, and his father, Samvel Mkhitaryan, shares the same view.

"He should be re-arrested, I must appeal to the Court of Cassation again for him to be imprisoned once more," said Samvel Mkhitaryan, then referring to other former players in the case, emphasized, "I have been saying the same thing for five years; they have all been let go. I am powerless, I cannot put anyone in until the government changes. And right now, I am powerless; they cannot bring the real murderer to justice, and he is out freely."