Investigation Concludes for Two Defendants in the Murder Case of Yerevan Informatics College Student Rafik Hovhannisyan

As a result of extensive and systematic investigative and evidential actions, several crucial circumstances significant for the case have been clarified, including the motive and the identities of three individuals involved in the incident.

As previously reported, on March 12, 2024, around 11:30 AM, A.M., armed with a knife, along with D.P., H.S., and other unidentified individuals, went to the vicinity of the Yerevan Informatics College to exact revenge against 17-year-old Rafik Hovhannisyan due to a prior altercation. Upon spotting him near a food establishment adjacent to the college, A.M. collaborated with the aforementioned individuals, demonstrating blatant disrespect towards society and a clear contempt for legal and moral norms, while disregarding the rules of coexistence, shouting profanities, and disturbing the peace of the food establishment's employees, residents of nearby buildings, and other individuals in the vicinity.

They attacked Rafik Hovhannisyan with the intention to kill him, inflicting multiple stab wounds to various parts of his body, causing the young man to fall to the ground. Subsequently, A.M., D.P., H.S., and an unidentified individual continued to strike the victim's head and body with their hands, feet, and a bat.

The 17-year-old succumbed to his numerous injuries shortly after the incident, around 1:00 PM, at a medical facility.

It was previously reported that at the initial phase of the investigation, based on data obtained, including statements made by A.M., charges were brought against another individual for committing a serious crime, who was taken into custody as a preventive measure.

During the subsequent investigation, significant efforts led to the identification of the actual perpetrator of the crime; it was revealed that A.M., in an attempt to confuse the investigative authority, had given distorted testimony during the initial stages of the investigation, attempting to assign the responsibility for the murder to his friend and thereby trying to evade criminal liability and punishment.

The investigation established that on the indicated day, during the altercation near the Yerevan Informatics College, it was indeed A.M. who used the knife he had to inflict fatal injuries to Rafik Hovhannisyan, subsequently returning to D.P.'s home where they concealed the murder weapon—a folding knife and a wooden baton.

Based on sufficient evidence gathered during the investigation, the public prosecutor overseeing the legality of the proceedings modified the public criminal prosecution against A.M. and D.P., initiating new criminal proceedings under the 2nd part of Article 155, points 5 and 8, and the 3rd part of Article 297 of the RA Criminal Code, with new charges filed against them.

Preventive measures of detention have been applied to both individuals. Their cases have been separated into a distinct proceeding where the investigation has been declared complete, and the materials of the case have been sent to court with an accusatory conclusion.

The investigation continues regarding H.S. and other individuals involved in the incident who are on the run.