Decision Made to Conduct In Absentia Proceedings Against Former Deputy Chief of General Staff Arshak Karapetyan

The investigation into the case of abuse of power by the former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, A.K., has been completed at the Military Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee.

During the investigation, it was established and substantiated that on May 12, 2021, in the early morning hours, the adversary took advantage of the low visibility caused by foggy weather to cross the state border of the Republic of Armenia, approximately 3-3.5 km deep into the territory, thus finding itself in the rear area of the own positions and occupying advantageous heights.

Between May 14 and 16, 2021, A.K., stepping outside his authority, aware that he did not have the power to order the withdrawal of servicemen from combat positions or to hand over a friendly combat position to the adversary, issued an unreasonable verbal order regarding the abandonment of combat positions by using his official authority. This resulted in serious material consequences, as on May 16, the own units withdrew from their combat positions, and on May 17, the adversary established itself in these positions, refusing to vacate the invaded areas, thus gaining control over part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

A.K. has been subject to public criminal prosecution under the second part of Article 549 of the Criminal Code (abuse of power or authority resulting in significant destruction or damage to military property, equipment, or other property due to negligence, or disruption of combat missions, exercises, or other military actions, or other serious consequences).

As a measure of restraint, arrest has been chosen, and a search warrant has been declared. A decision has been made to conduct proceedings against A.K. in absentia. The criminal proceedings have been sent to the supervising prosecutor with a request for confirmation and to be forwarded to the court for substantive examination.