Yerevan-Moscow Flight Forced to Return Due to In-Flight Disturbance

According to reports from the "Ishkhanutyun" news outlet, a Yerevan-Moscow flight was forced to return last night due to a disturbance on board the aircraft.

One of the passengers recounted that Vahan Shahbazyan, the owner of a well-known furniture store in Argavand, was on the plane in an intoxicated state, displaying aggressive behavior towards the crew and passengers. The situation escalated to a point where the aircraft had to turn back, and Shahbazyan was arrested and taken to the police station. Due to his behavior, it was not possible to ensure a safe flight, resulting in the aircraft taking off about 35 minutes late.

We attempted to ascertain Vahan Shahbazyan's identity. He is a resident of Argavand and has a previous conviction for a crime committed during his military service. The indictment states: "Vahan Shahbazyan is charged with violating the rules of military conduct as defined by Articles 13 and 65 of the internal service regulations of the RA Armed Forces while serving as a conscript soldier in military unit 21127 on May 12, 2017, at 21:30, by engaging in a dispute with Private M. Ghazaryan, during which he used violence against him by striking him on the head with a paint can, resulting in a light injury leading to a temporary impairment of health in the form of a scalp and occipital wound."

Regarding the incident involving this individual on the airplane, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated, "We received a report at Zvartnots Airport that there was a disorderly passenger on the Yerevan-Moscow flight. The dispatched group found that the 29-year-old passenger was in an inadequate state and exhibited disrespectful behavior towards the cabin crew and other passengers, grossly violating public order and repeatedly directing sexual insults at the security personnel. He was brought to the police station, and the relevant documentation was submitted to the investigative department."

The press secretary of the Investigative Committee, Kima Avdalyan, confirmed to "Ishkhanutyun" that Shahbazyan has been arrested.