Murder in Merdzavan Solved: Weapon Found

The Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the murder committed in Merdzavan has been solved.

"Through extensive collaborative operational-investigative measures taken by the Criminal Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and personnel from other police units, a suspect has been identified and turned over to the community police department in Vagharshapat. The individual confessed to firing shots at three people in Merdzavan, resulting in the deaths of two and leaving one with a gunshot wound. The weapon used in the crime has been found," the Ministry's statement read.

The department also noted that additional information would be provided.

On September 27, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Narek Sargsyan, stated during a conversation with reporters that the murder of Parakar community leader Valodya Grigoryan is likely a continuation of events from February.

It is worth mentioning that Narik Ohanyan was arrested on September 26 on suspicion of committing the crime. Ohanyan is the former mayor of Merdzavan and the nephew of Myher Akhtoyan, while being the brother of Grigoryan’s slain sibling, Grigor Ohanyan, who was killed in Merdzavan in February of this year.

On the evening of September 23, in Merdzavan, near the newly constructed residence of the Parakar community head Valodya Grigoryan, a masked and gloved individual approached three people who were standing, opened fire, and fled the scene. Valodya Grigoryan and Karen Abrahamyan, a senior operative of the Criminal Investigation Department of Armenia's police, who was off-duty at the time, were killed in the incident. Another citizen, Artzrhun Galstyan, was also injured at the scene.