The number of fatalities in the RA and NK armed forces for January-September 2017
Following the previous quarterly report, as a result of the observations carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO 10 fatalities were recorded between July-September 2017. Since January 2017 Peace Dialogue NGO received information about 45 deaths in the armed forces: 19 cases were recorded in Armenia and 26 cases were recorded in the Nagorno Karabakh.
In the mentioned period the organization received information about 4 murder cases, 8 suicide cases, 20 cases that were the result of ceasefire regime violation, two cases that were the result of negligence, health problems and safety rules and two more cases the cause of which is yet unknown.
Ceasefire regime violation
Garik Vardanyan (January 15, Tavush region)
On January 15, 2017, at approximately 11:35 p.m. soldier Garik Vardanyan (Born in 1996) died
in the Yerevan Central Military Hospital. He was seriously wounded on December 29, 2016 by the adversary.
The Azerbaijani troops had attempted a subversive penetration into the state border, in the south-east of the village of Chinari, Armenia’s Tavush province. As a result Senior Lieutenant Shavarsh Melikyan, privates Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan.
Andranik Musikyan (18 January, NK)
Karen Ulubabyan (22 January, NK)
Gor Gareginyan (6 February, NK)
Gegham Manukyan (8 February, NK)
Nver Babajanyan (1 March, NK)
Narek Harutyunyan ( 24 March, NK)
Artak Rafaelyan (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)
Azerbaijani armed forces violated the ceasefire regime on June 16 at approximately 6:05 p.m. using antitank grenade launchers, as a result of which 3 soldiers of NK army, Arayik Matinyan, Vigen Petrosyan and Vardan Sargsyan (all three of them were born in 1997) received fatal injuries.
Vigen Petrosyan (16 June, NK)
Vardan Sargsyan (16 June, NK)
Narek Gasparyan (17 June, NK)
Vazgen Poghosyan (10 July, NK)
Arman Movsisyan (14 August, NK)
Artak Bisharyan (27 August, NK)
Seyran Sargsyan (28 September, NK)
Murder Cases
Araik Sargsyan (16 January, NK)
On January 16, in the defense area of one of the units of the NK DA contract soldier Sergeant Arayik Sargsyan received a gunshot wound from another soldier of the same unit as a result of the violation of the rules of handling weapons, reports the Investigative Committee.
“According to preliminary data, the private soldier took the rifle attached to his co-serviceman, partially removed the cartridge and tried to charge the rifle. Then, assuming that the bullet did not enter the cartridge, he pressed the trigger.”- reads the statement of the Investigative Committee.
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.
Gagik Mesropyan (10 May, Tavush region)
In the early morning of May 10, 2017, compulsory military serviceman, Junior Sergeant Gagik Mesropyan was wounded in the combat position of the N military unit and died on the way to the military hospital.
As a result of a large-scale investigative actions initiated by the 6th garrison investigative division it was revealed that Mesropyan received the fatal gunshot wounds due to a deliberate gunshot in his direction. The identity of the person who committed the crime was also revealed. It is a soldier (Born in 1997) of the same military unit.
Combined with sufficient evidence obtained the serviceman was charged under Article 104, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a preventive measure against him. The preliminary investigation is underway.
Vardan Grigoryan (17 August, Tavush region)
It was reported that on August 17, 2017 at approximately 5:p.m. that a body was foind in a burnt car on Nerkin Karmiraghbyur-Paravakar highway in Tavush region. The body of Vardan Grigoryan, a 32-year-old resident of the same village, was found in a VAZ 2106 car that turned into ashes.
Another soldier serving in the same unit, S. Lalayan and who also happens to be from the same village as the victim was arrested on suspicion of murdering the contracted soldier.
Under the pressure of undeniable evidence Lalayan clarified some details about the crime to the law-enforcement officials. A few hours prior the murder he left a party with the victim and together with the him they went to Nerkin Karmirgyugh where in a dispute over some family issues he hit numerous blows to V. Grigoryan. Then he put Grigoryan into his own car and pushing the car near the slope and tumbled it down the steep slope and went down the steep slopes and burned the car. A criminal case was initiated at the Tavush Marz Investigation Department and documents will be transferred to the Garrison Investigation Division. Vardan Grigoryan was 32 years old and had one child.
Suicide
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 trench of a combat position on a wooden stamp designed to close the monitor hole. He was found sitting 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 are of a military unit located in the south of the NK DA, temporary soldier Lernik Osyan (Born in 1998) received a fatal gunshot wound in unknown circumstances. An investigation is underway to find out the circumstances of the incident. A criminal case was initiated under Article 110, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (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.
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 at the scene.
Grisha Karapetyan (17 June, RA)
Investigation has been launched in the 5th Military Garrison Investigation Division of the General Investigation Department into the death of soldier Grisha Karapetyan.
On May 17, 2017 at approximately 10:30a.m. in the protection area of the N military unit contract soldier Grisha Karapetyan received a fatal gunshot wound. According to the preliminary data obtained by the investigation of the incident and based on the 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.
Vardan Melkonyan (23 July, Yerevan)
On July 23, at approximately 6:30a.m. the body of junior Sergeant Vardan Melkonyan (Born in 1998, Vanadzor m/c), who had voluntarily left his military unit, was found hung in the area of the N military unit of the RA MoD.
A criminal case was initiated in the 4th garrison investigative division under Article 110, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code.
As a result of investigative actions, evidence and facts were obtained that on July 22, 2017 at approximately 11:30p.m. the junior sergeant was subjected to physical violence by a co-serviceman in the N military unit division’s household room.
The co-serviceman was arrested on suspicion of committing an act envisaged by Part 1 of Article 358 of the RA Criminal Code.
Abas Sloyan (13 August, Shirak region)
The body of a temporary soldier of Yezidi origin was found near one of the houses in Hatsik village in Shirak Province.
In an interview with express.am the Arthur Matevosyan, head of village Karmrakar a neighbor village of Hatshik, said that the soldier was from Hatsik. “He ran away from army and came to his village and hanged himself near his house.”Later the RA Investigative Committee issued a statement saying that soldier Abas Sloyan voluntarily left his service post and returned to his home in village Hatsik. His body was found hanging in the auxiliary building of one of the houses on the 14th street of the village.
A criminal case was initiated under Article 110 (Part 1) of the RA Criminal Code (inciting suicide).
Andranik Mkrtchyan (20 August, RA)
26-year old contract soldier, captain Andranik Mkrtchyan went into his office and committed suicide. His body was found on August 20, 2017 at 4:20p.m. in his office with a gunshot wound on the jaw.
A criminal case has been initiated under Article 110, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (inciting suicide). An investigatino is underway.
Fatal incident
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, Armen Pukhan andVruyr Nersisyan were transferred to the MoD Central Clinical Military Hospital
Ruben Mnacakanyan (8 May, NK)
On May 8, 2017 a fatal incident was occurred in a military unit in the northern direction of the contact line, reported the press service of the Nagorno Karabakh MoD. According to preliminary 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. Search and rescue team found the bodies of two servicemen Ruben Barseghyan and Rafael Bisharyan. The search operation is underway to recover Ruben Mnatsakanyan’s body.
Ruben Barseghyan (8 մ May, NK)
Rafael Bisharyan (8 May, NK)
Hayk Khachatryan (1 September, NK)
On September 1, 2017 at approximately 11:50a.m., at a military unit located to the south-east of the contact line NK MoD soldier Hayk Khachatryan (Born in 1998) was deadly injured in a mine explosion.
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)
Narek Mkhitrayn had undergone surgery on the neck mid-cyst in Muratsan Military Hospital, but died after the surgery on July 14.
Negligence/ Inaction
Garegin Arghamanyan (17 February, NK)
On February 17, the body of private Garegin Arghamanyan (Born in 1997), serviceman of the radio platoon of the communication unit ,was found at about 07:30a.m. in the battery charging warehouse of a permanent deployment location of a military base of the NK Defense Army.
According to preliminary data, the serviceman died from carbon monoxide poisoning of the diesel generator emissions.
In the first garrison investigation department a criminal case was initiated under Article 376 (part 2) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (negligent attitude towards the service, if caused negligently by heavy consequences). An investigation is underway.
Gor Khudikyan (23 February, NK)
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.
The 3rd garrison investigative division initiated a criminal case under Article 376 (part 2) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (negligent attitude towards the service, if caused negligently by heavy consequences).
Two deaths were recorded as a result of violation of rules for handling weapons.
Narek Hakwbyan (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.
Arkadi Ghambaryan (28 July, Tavush region)
A contract soldier was killed on July 28, 2017 in one of the defense posts in Noyemberyan, Tavush region.
33-year old serviceman Arkadi Ghambaryan was from village Karkop, Tavush region: He died of a fatal gunshot wound. It is yet unknown whether the soldier was shot by the adversary.
According to preliminary data the serviceman received fatal injuries on July 28, at 4:40p.m. as a result of violation of rules for handling weapons.
6th garrison investigation division initiated a criminal case under Article 373, part 3 of the RA Criminal Code.
An investigation is underway to find out the circumstances of the case.
Over the cause of death of two soldier either no official statement has been made 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 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 17 October, 2017
