Two Arrested in Assault Case Involving Varagavan Village Mayor

Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the physical assault and altercation that took place in the office of the mayor of Varagavan, within the Berd community in the Tavush province. The information has been confirmed by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the administrative head has been recognized as the victim and has provided testimony regarding the circumstances of the incident.

Previously, it was reported that a fight occurred in the mayor's office, which later continued outside. The investigation revealed that a 28-year-old resident of Varagavan and a 27-year-old resident of Berd, who are related, attempted to resolve issues concerning another relative living in Varagavan through threats of force. They visited the administrative leader's office to meet with him.

It has been noted that the meeting escalated into a dispute and a physical altercation, after which the 28-year-old fled the scene. Following the young man's escape, the Varagavan mayor pursued him.

During the pursuit, a 37-year-old resident of Tavush province, along with the young man's uncle, a 56-year-old Aram Manucharyan, obstructed the roadway near the school adjacent to the Berd-Varagavan highway with a Mercedes vehicle. The latter was found to be armed with a firearm; however, the mayor managed to take the firearm into his possession, which was later submitted to law enforcement authorities.

“As a result of the measures taken, on the day of the incident at 22:45, the 56-year-old man was discovered and submitted to the investigative body at the moment he was crossing the state border in Bagratashen, based on reasonable suspicion of committing an offense. A decision was made to arrest him, and he has also been charged,” the statement read.

The criminal case has been initiated under the provisions of mental influence, physical influence, hooliganism, and illegal circulation of firearms and ammunition, as well as other materials and objects. A petition has been submitted to the court for the imposition of pre-trial detention as a measure of restraint.

Later, on August 16, another suspect, a 37-year-old resident of Berd, was also arrested based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in the crime. The preliminary investigation is ongoing, and necessary evidentiary measures are being taken to clarify the circumstances of the incident and individualize the actions of those involved.