New Phase of Tension in Mrdzavan: Local Residents Attempt to Block Access to School for Children of Mher Akhtoyan’s Brother

According to ArmLur.am, on the morning of October 6, the situation in the village of Mrdzavan has escalated once again. Local residents attempted to prevent the children of Davit Akhtoyan, brother of Mher Akhtoyan and a member of the Civil Contract party in the Parakar community, from entering the school.

“Davit Akhtoyan’s wife plans to accompany the children to the Mrdzavan school, but a group of citizens blocked the road leading to the school in protest. They demanded that representatives of the Akhtoyan family refrain from visiting public places until law enforcement officials fully clarify all circumstances surrounding the murder of Valodia Grigoryan. The fact is that public distrust towards the Akhtoyan family is deepening in the Mrdzavan community, especially after reports emerged that one of the possible organizers of Valodia Grigoryan’s murder could be Mher Akhtoyan, who left the country days before the incident and was seen off by a 20-year-old arrested in connection with the murder. Although at this stage, law enforcement authorities have not officially commented on the matter,” the publication states.

It is noted that on September 23, Valodia Grigoryan, the head of the enlarged Parakar community, along with Karen Abrahamyan, an employee of the criminal investigation department, was killed. The murder shocked the community. Just a few days later, in the same Mrdzavan, the grave of Grigor Ohanian, brother of Narek Ohanian, who was arrested in connection with the murder, was vandalized during the night, which led to further clashes.