Expert Interrogation Continues in the Case of the Fire at the Military Barracks in Azat: Details

The next court session regarding the case of the 15 soldiers who died in a military barracks in Azat village is ongoing today at the General Jurisdiction Court of Gegharkunik Province. Experts are being interrogated.

The head of the Explosion Technical, Explosion Technology and Fire Technical Expertise Division of the National Bureau of Expertise, David Melikumyants, stated that he was present at the scene on the day of the incident and participated in the examination of the site: “I was specifically invited by Aslanyan, the deputy head of the military investigative main department. The scene was already illuminated when we arrived. Certain investigative actions were being carried out at the scene,” he said.

The lawyer of the victims' legal successors, Norair Norikyan, highlighted that it is crucial to specify the time of arrival at the scene: “What are these questions conditioned by? They are conditioned by the fact that not only does the affected side have a belief, but there is also assurance that the scene was initially compromised,” he noted.

Melikumyants reiterated that he could not specify the exact time: “When we arrived at the scene, the bodies were already not there. The fire had been extinguished, and the bodies had been removed. It is clear that during this period, certain alterations of the scene could have occurred.”

According to the expert, the entrance to the building was entirely burnt, including the ceiling, roof, and floor. Regarding the barracks where the soldiers were, the expert said that the roof and ceiling were destroyed, and burned remnants were present on the floor.