The number of fatalities in the RA and NK armed forces for 2017
Since January 2017 Peace Dialogue NGO received information about 59 death cases: 25 cases were recorded in the territory of RA and 34 cases were recorded in Nagorno Karabakh.
In the mentioned period the organization received information about 6 murder cases, 8 suicide cases, 22 cases that were the result of ceasefire regime violation, 3 cases that were the result of negligence, 3 cases that were the result of health problems, 3 cases that were the result of safety rules violation and 5 more cases the cause of which is yet unknown.
Ceasefire regime violation
Garik Vardanyan (15 January, Tavush region)
Soldier Garik Vardanyan (1996) who was seriously injured by the enemy on December 29, 2016 died on January 15, 2017 at 11:35p.m in the Yerevan Central Clinical Military Hospital.
The Azerbaijani troops had attempted a subversive penetration in the south-east direction of village Chinari, Tavush region. As a result of this subversive penetration attempt senior lieutenant Shavarsh Melikyan and private soldiers Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan were killed.
Andranik Musikyan (18 January, NK)
Karen Ulubabyan (22 January, NK)
Gor Gareginyan (6 February, NK)
Gegham Manukyan (8 February, NK)
Never 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 Haroutyunyan (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 NK Defense Army.
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)
Chaplin Margaryan (10 October, RA)
The statement issued by the General Prosecutor’s Office reads:
“On October 10,2017 Azerbaijani side fatally wounded serviceman of Armenian Army Chaplin Margaryan (born in 1998) in a military base of one of the military units, located in the northeastern direction of Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The soldier died after being hospitalized at the military hospital. The same day the 6th garrison investigative division of the RA Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case under Article 34-104, Part 2, point 13 of the RA Criminal Code.
As a result of urgent investigative and other procedural actions undertaken towards the comprehensive, objective and complete clarification of the circumstances of the case, sufficient factual data has been obtained that the causes for Chaplin Margaryan’s death were the failure to comply with the safety rules when carrying out engineering works at the combat post and the negligent attitude of the combat post officer.
Taking into consideration the given circumstance, by the order of the Prosecutor General of the Lori Garrison Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, the combat post officer, the Deputy Commander of the 1st Rifle Battalion Command of the Defense Ministry, Major T.P. was arrested on suspicion of committing a crime under Article 376 (part 2) of the RA Criminal Code, which negligently caused grave consequences.”
The preliminary investigation is underway.
Tigran Khachatryan (19 October, NK)
Murder
Arayik Sargsyan (16 January, NK)
On January 16, 2017 in the defense position of a NK DA military unit contract soldier, Sergeant Arayik 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.
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.
With all the sufficient evidence obtained, the soldier was charged under Article 104 of the Part 1 of the Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a preventive measure.
The investigation is underway.
Vardan Grigoryan (17 August, Tavush region)
On August 17, 2017 a body was found 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 model car that had 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 contract 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 tumbled it down the steep slope. Then he 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.
Aram Khachatryan (20 October, NK)
Soldier Aram Khachatryan (1998) received a fatal gunshot wound in the right shoulder on October 20, 2017 at approximately 12:40p.m at the defense post of N military unit. The soldier died on the way to hospital.
As a result of large-scale investigative actions aimed at ensuring comprehensive, objective and complete investigation of all the circumstances of the deadly gunshot, sufficient facts were obtained that A. Khachatryan became a victim of a murder. The identity of the perpetrator was revealed.
A junior sergeant of the same unit was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The preliminary investigation is underway.
Narek Adibekyan (11 December, NK)
On December 11, 2017 at approximately 7:30p.m. in the defense area of one of the NK DA military units soldier Narek Adibekyan (Born in 1996) received a fatal gunshot wound from a fellow soldier.
An investigation is underway to find the circumstances of the case.
Suicide
Shavarsh Galstyan (25 January, RA)
According to the official report of the Investigative Committee, on January 25,2017 at 08:50 am, the body of a compulsory military serviceman Shavarsh Galstyan was found in a sitting position on a wooden stub designed for closing the peephole in the combat post. He was found with a fatal gunshot wound in the jaw. At the scene, the rifle attached to him and a capsule were also found on the floor.
“”Actual data have been obtained that another soldier, who had been appointed as an observer for the same shift, periodically exploited Galstyan and instructed him to provide personal services such as to make coffee, tea, wash the dirty plates to emphasize his apparent advantage and priority over Galstyan. Moreover, he used insult Galstyan and offend his dignity, “mentioned the Investigative Committee.
Initially it was mentioned that a criminal case was initiated under Article 110, Part 1 (driving someone to commit suicide) of the RA Criminal Code, however according to the official announcement of the Investigative Committee charges were filed under Article 359, Part 1 (breach of Code of Conduct for relationships between the servicemen).
The preliminary investigation is underway, post-mortem fingerprint and ballistic expert 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 the article on causing someone to commit suicide.
Karen Avetisyan (25 April, NK)
The second garrison investigation department is investigating 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 jaw 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.
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.
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.
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 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, Pukha and Nersisyan were transferred to the MOD Central Clinical Military Hospital.
Ruben Mnatsakanyan (8 May, NK)
In the morning of May 8, 2017 a car accident occurred in one of the military units located in the northern direction of the NK Defense Army, reported the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh.
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 Bareseghyan (8 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.
Gevorg Khanamiryan (23 October, RA)
Norair Hovhannisyan (28 October, RA)
Tatul Tadevosyan (22 November, RA)
On November 22, 2017 the body of a soldier of the RA Armed Forces was found in Syunik province. He had died in a car accident. The
This information was confirmed by the spokesan of the RA Defense Minister Artsrun Hovhannisyan. The deceased soldier was Tatul Tadevosyan (born in 1993), resident of Zaritap village, Vayots Dzor region.
Samvel Karchikyan (21 December, RA)
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)
Contract soldier Narek Mkhitaryan had undergone surgery on the neck mid-cyst, but died the next day after the surgery on June 14, 2017 .
Garnik Petrosyan (24 November, RA)
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 Khudinyan (23 February, NK)
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).
Hrant Mangasaryan (4 November, NK)
On November 4, 2017 at approximately 12:10p.m. one servicemen of NK Defense army as killed and two others were wounded when an anti-tank grenade exploded at NK Armed Forces military unit in the northeastern direction of the line of contact.
Serviceman Hrant Mangasaryan (Born in 1997) received a fatal gunshot wound while Gevorg Hyusnunts and Sergey Alumyan suffered shrapnel wounds.
An investigation has been launched into the incident in the third garrison investigative division under Article 376, part 2 of the RA Criminal Code. All necessary investigative actions are taken to find out all the circumstances of the incident.
3 death cases that were the result of safety rules violation (violations of the 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. All necessary investigative actions are taken to ensure an objective and thorough investigation of the soldier’s death.
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.
Hrach Avetisyan (20 October, NK)
According to preliminary data, on October 20, 2017 NK DA servicemen Aram Khachatryan (Born in 1998) and Hrach Avetisyan (Born in 1997) received fatal gunshot wounds as a result of violation of rules of handling weapons. An investigation is underway.
It should be noted: according to preliminary official information, Aram Khachatryan and Hrach Avetisyan became victims of the same incident, but from the next report on Aram Khachatryan’s death (in which nothing is said about Hrach Avetisyan) it becomes clear that he had been killed.
An official statement on the cause of death of 5 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 approximatly 5:35pm.
A forensic examination has been 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.
Gegham Zakaryan (21 November, NK)
Sargis Abrahamyan (21 November, NK)
Sargis Meliqyan (21 November, NK)
These three soldiers died in the same incident: on November 21, 2017 at 6:35p.m. NK Defense Army servicemen Gegham Zakaryan (Born in 1995), Sargis Abrahamyan (Born in 1998) and Sargis Melikyan (Bor in 1997) received fatal injuries in a mine explosion at one of the military units located in the north-eastern direction of the conatact line.
The NK DA press service reported that another serviceman Narek Hoveyan (Born in 1998) received injuries in the mine explosion. Her condition is estimated to be severe.
An investigation is underway to find out the details of the incident.
Posted 15 January, 2018
