The number of fatalities in the RA and NK armed forces for January-June 2017
Hereby we present the results of the observations carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO regarding the fatalities in the Armenian and NK Armed Forces between January-June 2017.
In the mentioned period, the organization received information about 36 death cases, 16 of which were the result of ceasefire violation. 15 death cases that were the result of ceasefire violations were recorded in NK while 1 was recorded in Tavush region, Armenia as a result of a subversive penetration attempt last year on December 29 when a soldier was wounded.
Garik Vardanyan (15 January, Tavush region)
Soldier Garik Vardanyan (Born in 1996) died in Yerevan Central Military Hospital on January 15, 2017, at 11:35 p.m. He who was seriously wounded on December 30, 2016 as a result of a subversive penetration act by the enemy. Senior leutenant Shavarsh Melikyan, private soldiers Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan were also killed in it.
The Azerbaijani troops
In the state border of South-east from Chinari village of Tavush region of Armenia, Azerbaijani troops have attempted to commit subversive penetration attack. As a result of the same subversive attack senior lieutenant Shavarsh Melikset Melikyan, and private soldiers Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan were also killed.
Andranik Musikyan (18 January, NK)
Karen Ulubabyan ( 22 January , NK)
Gor Gareginyan (6 February, NK)
Gegham Manoukyan (8 February, NK)
Nver Babajanyan (1 March, NK)
Narek Harutyunyan (24 March, NK)
Artak Rafayelyan (28 March, NK)
Gor Hovhannisyan ( 31 March, NK)
Mher Arzumanyan ( 28 April, NK)
Karen Danielyan (20 May, NK)
Armen Harutyunyan (26 May, NK)
Arayik Matinyan (16 June, NK)
The servicemen Arayik Matinyan, Vigen Petrosyan and Vardan Sargsyan (all born in 1997), were fatally wounded after the Azerbaijani side opened fire from a rocket-propelled grenade against the military posts of the Defense Army, Nagorno-Karabakh’s Ministry of Defense reports.
Vigen Petrosyan (16 June, NK)
Vardan Sargsyan (16 June, NK)
Narek Gasparyan (17 June, NK)
During the first 6 months PD received information about 5 suicides and 4 murder cases.
Murder cases
Arayik Sargsyan (16 January, NK)
Sargsyan received a fatal gunshot wound from another soldier of that unit as a result of breach of rules for handling weapons, reported the Investigative Committee.
The announcement of the Inivestigative Committee stated: “According to the preliminary informaiton, the private soldier took the rifle that was attached to his co-serviceman, partially took out the ammunition and tried to recharge it, then thinking that no bullet was inserted in the ammunition he pulled the triger. As a result, he fired a shot and soldier S. Sargsyan received a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The later died while being hospitalised. ”
The soldier was charged under Article 373, part 3 of the RA Criminal Code (Breach of rules for handling weapons which negligently caused the human death). The soldier was arrested. His name is not mentioned.
Gurgen Sargsyan (March 1, Yerevan)
Private Gurgen Sargsyan received a gunshot wound in the head on January 16, 2017 at approximately 11:55p.m. in the combat post of N military unit while on military duty and was immediately taken to the military hospital.
The investigation revealed that circumstances of how the soldier got shot. Based on the evidence obtained junior sergeant was charged under Article 373, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a preventive measure against him.
Narek Isolov (21 March, Vayots Dzor)
A criminal case was initiated over the death of 31-year-old soldier Narek Makobyan who died on April 21, 2017 at approximately 10:25a.m. during the camp trainings in Vayots Dzor, reports the Investigation Committee.
According to the preliminary data, Narek Hakobyan received a fatal sound from a contract soldier junior Sergeant of the 6th company of N military unit as a result of the violation of the rules of handling weapon: the latter shot Hakobyan while cleaning the rifle. The name of the junior sergeant is not mentioned.
Gagik Mesropyan (10 May, Tavush region)
on May 10, 2017 early in the morning temporary soldier, junior sergeant Gagik Mesropyan received a gunshot wound in the combat post of the RA MoD N military unit and died on the way to hospital.
The investigative actions undertaken in the 6th garrison investigative department revealed that G. Mesropyan received the fatal gunshot wound as a result of intentionally fired shot in his direction. The identity of the offender was revealed: he is a soldier of the same military unit, born in 1997.
Obtained sufficient evidence combination, the soldier charged with article 104 of the Criminal Code, Part 1 of the Criminal Code. A preventive measure of detention.
The sufficient evidence was obtained and the soldier was charged with Article 104, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a preventive measure.
The investigative is underway.
Suicides
Shavarsh Galstyan (25 January, RA)
According to the official report of the Investigation Committee on January 25 at approximately 8:50a.m. private Shavarsh Gastyan’s body was found in the crusade of a combat position on a wooden stamp designed to close the monitor hole. He was found sited with a gunshot wound to the jaw. At the scene of the incident, he was found with AKM model rifle attached to him and a shell on the floor.
“ Evedince has been obtained that another soldier, who has been appointed as an observer for the same shift, periodically exploited Galstyan and instructed him to “provide” personal services, such as coffee and tea, to wash the dirty dishes to emphasize his apparent advantage. Moreover, he cursed and offended the soldier’s dignity.”-reports the Investigative Committee.
Initially it was mentioned that a criminal case was initiated under Article 110, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (Causing somebody to commit suicide), however according to the official report of the Investigative Committee, the charges were brought under Article 359 (part 1) of the RA Criminal Code (Breach of relations, prescribed by field manuals, between servicemen not subordinated to each other, expressed in humiliation of the person’s honor and self-esteem, persecution or violence) :
The investigation is underway. Ballistic and forensic examinations have been appointed.
Lernik Osyan (18 February, NK)
On February 18, 2017 at approximately 11:45a.m. in a defense area of a military unit located in the south of the NK DA, temporary soldier Lernik Osyan (Born in 1998) received a fatal gunshot wound. An investigation is underway to find out the circumstances of the incident. A criminal case was initiated under Article 110 for causing somebody to commit suicide.
Karen Avetisyan (25 April, NK)
An investigation is underway in the second garrison investigation department to find out the circumstances of soldier Karen Avetisyan’s death, the press service of the RA Investigative Committee reports.Private Karen Avetisyan was found dead with a gunshot wound in the chest at approximately 5:00a.m. on April 25, 2017 in the combat position of N military unit.
According to the preliminary data, K. Avetisyan imjured himself from the machine gun attached to him. An investigation was initiated in the third garrison investigation department under Article 110, party 1 of the RA Criminal Code. A preliminary investigation is underway.
All necessary investigative actions are underway to ensure comprehensive, full and objective investigation of the case. Expert examinations have been appointed.
Melik Khachatryan (1 June, RA)
Investigation has been launched in the fourth garrison unit of Armenia’s General Military Investigative Department into the death of contract soldier, Subaltern Melik Khachatryan.
The RA IC reports that on June 1, 2017 at approximately 3:30p.m. they received information that contract soldier, Subaltern Melik Khachatryan (Born in 1981) was found hanged in the warehouse of N military unit of the RA MoD. A letter was also found in the at the scene. A forensic examination was appointed and all necessary measures are taken to ensure a comprehensive investigation of the circumstances of M. Khachatryan’s death.
Grisha Karapetyan (June 17, RA)
Investigation has been launched in the 5th Military Garrison Investigation Division of the General Investigation Department into the death of soldier Grisha Karapetyan.
Earlier we had informed that on May 17, 2017 at approximately 10:30a.m. in the combat of the N military unit protection area contract soldier Grisha Karapetyan received a fatal gunshot wound. According to preliminary data obtained by the investigation of the incident and as a result of urgent procedural action contract soldier Grisha Karapetyan shot himself from a gun attached to him.
An investigation has been launched in the 5th Military Garrison Investigation Division of the General Investigation Department under Article 110, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code.
For soldiers were killed in two fatal accidents recorded within the last six months.
Garegin Minasyan (15 February, RA)
The RA MoD bulldozer rolled into a gorge: one soldier is dead, two other soldiers received injuries. The Investigative body initiated a criminal case over the accident that resulted in the death of the contract soldier. The preliminary investigation is underway.
According to provisional data, on February 16 at approximately 3pm a bulldozer, which belongs to a military unit of the Ministry of Defense (MOD), rolled into a gorge, while clearing the road that leads to the military position of this unit.
As a result, soldiers Garegin Minasyan, Armen Pukha, and Vruyr Nersisyan—who were inside the bulldozer—received injuries.
Contract soldier Garegin Minasyan died en route to the MOD Gegharkunik Garrison Military Hospital. On the same day, Pukha and Nersisyan were transferred to the MOD Central Clinical Military Hospital
Ruben Mnatsakanyan (8 May, NK)
In the morning of May 8, 2017 in one of the military units located to the north of Defense Army a fatal incident was recorded, reported the NK Defense Ministry.
According to the initial data, as a result of a tragic vehicle accident three soldiers of the NK DA- Ruben Barseghyan (Born in 1998), Rafael Bisharyan (Born in 1997) and Ruben Mnatsakanyan (Born 1998) -were drowned in a reservoir near the military unit. After the searching operations, the bodies of two servicemen-Ruben Barseghyan and Rafael Bisharyan were found. The searh operation is underway to recover Ruben Mnatsakanyan’s body. An investigation is underway to find out the details of the accident.
Ruben Barseghyan (8 May, NK)
Rafayel Bisharyan (8 May, NK)
Two soldiers died as a result of health issues.
Armen Tsaturyan (26 April, Yerevan)
On April 26, 2017 at approximately 8:00a.m. the Police Department of Yerevan Nor Nork received a phone call that a man’s body was found in a Nissan March 41XV model car in front of the Ideal store in Nor Nork 5th Block. It was revealed that the deceased man was Armen Tsaturyan, a 31-year-old resident of Yerevan Shopron 1 Lane and an engineer at one of the military subdivisions of the RA Ministry of Defense. According to the forensic doctor, he died of heart attack.
Narek Mkhitaryan (14 June, NK)
The parents of 21-year-old Narek Mkhitaryan, a contract soldier who died in a military hospital on June 14, 2017 do not complain and are not dissatisfied with the doctors. The day before Narek had undergone surgery on the neck mid-cyst, but died after the surgery.
The neglected attitude towards the military service may also cause death. The official versions of two death cases were mentioned to be negligent attitude towards military service.
Garegin Argamanyan (17 February, NK)
The body of private Garegin Argamanyan, serviceman of the radio platoon of the communication unit, was discovered around 7:30 on February 17, in the battery charging warehouse of a permanent deployment location of a military base of the Defense Army.
According to initial reports, the Private died as result of carbon monoxide poisoning of the diesel generator.
A criminal case was launched under Article 376, Part 2 on causing severe consequences by negligence.
An investigation is underway.
Gor Khudinyan (23 February, NK)
Contract soldier Gor Khudinyan (Born in 1991) received a fatal gunshot wound in yet unknown circumstances on February 23, 2017 at approximately 00:45a.m. in a military unit located in the northern direction of the NK Defense Army, the press service of the NK DA reports.
An investigation is underway in the third garrison investigative division to find out the circumstances of contract soldier Gor Khudinyan’s death.
According to the preliminary data, on February 23, 2017 at approximately 00:45a.m. in a defense are of N military unit contract soldier, Captain Gor Khudinyan received fatal shrapnel wounds from explosion of a bullet in the gun barrel while he was trying to fire from a machine gun to suppress the fire of the enemy.
An investigation was initiated in the third garrison investigative division under Article 376, part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (negligent attitude to military service, if they negligently caused grave consequences)
An investigation is underway
All necessary investigative measures are taken to ensure a full and objective investigation.
1 death was recorded as a result of violation of rules for handling weapons.
Narek Hakobyan (21 April, Vayots Dzor)
The 8th Garrison Investigative Division of the Military Investigative Department initiated a criminal case over the fatal gunshot wound that contract soldier, private Narek Hakobyan (Born on August 30, 1986) received.
According to the initial data Narek Hakobyan received the fatal gunshot wound on April 21, 2017 at 10:25a.m. during the camp trainings organized in Vayots Dzor: contract soldier of N military unit of the 6th company shot Hakobyan while cleaning his own rifle as a result of breach of rules for handing weapon.
A criminal case initiated under Article 373, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code. An investigation is underway.
An official statement on the cause of the death of two servicemen has not been made yet or the organization has not been able to clarify them.
Sargis Apinyan (26 January, RA)
In the 4th garrison investigative division of the RA Investigative Committee an investigation is underway to find out the circumstances of cadet Sargis Apinyan’s death.
According to preliminary information, on January 26, 2017 at approximately 14:20p.m. cadet Sargis Apinyan’s health drastically deteriorated at the drill ground. The serviceman was taken to the military unit’s medical facility, where, however, he died at around approximately 5:35pm.
A forensic examination was assigned.
Arshak Arshakyan (14 May, RA)
On May 14, 2017 at 3:15p.m. the body of contract soldier, junior Sergeant Arshak Arshakyan was found in the combat post of the RA MoD N military unit with a gunshot wound around the jawline, reports the press service of the RA Investigative Committee.
An investigation is underway in the 9th garrison investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee to find out the circumstances of A. Arshakyan’s death.
Posted 19 July, 2017
