Safe Soldiers for a Safe Armenia

The number of fatalities in the RA and NK armed forces for 2016 (infographic)

Hereby we present the results of the observations carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO regarding the fatalities in the Armenian and NK Armed Forces in 2016. It also includes the list of soldiers who died in the “four-day war”, which is presented separately.

In the mentioned period, the organization received information about 82 death cases, and 80 more death cases that were recorded during the “four-day war. According to mamul.am Minister of Health informed about the death of one soldier, however our organization was unable to verify the identity of that soldier.

7 out 82 death cases are murders.

Kamo Hovhannisyan (19 February, NK)

Second Military Garrison Investigation Division of the General Investigation Department initiated a criminal case over the deaths of two soldiers.

According to the preliminary information, on February 19, 2016 at approximately 6:50 a.m. private soldier T. Sloyan who was the machine-gunner of the 3rd squad at N military unit, in the combat post of the same unit shot the commander of the same squad, junior Sergeant Kamo Hovhannisyan in the face from the machine gun. K. Hovhannisyan died on the sport after which private Sloyan shot himself in the head and died. [1]

Hovhannes Haroutyunyan (17 March, NK)

During the preliminary investigation, sufficient evidence was obtained proving that Junior Sergeant H. Haroutyunyan received a gunshot wound on the face by a private soldier who was conducting a service in the same combat post as an observer. The investigation revealed the reasons for the argument that led to murder.

Based on the evidence obtained, private soldier was charged under Article 104, part 2, point 10 (Murder, committed with hooligan motives) of the RA Criminal Code. The investigator filed a petition to the court to use arrest as a restraint against the defendant, which was sustained։ [2]

Grigor Avetisyan (6 April, NK) Grigor Avetisyan
Suren Aramyan (6 April, NK) Suren Aramyan

On April 6, 2016 at firing point of the artillery of N unit the bodies of two private soldiers Grigor Avetisyan and Suren Aramyan were found with gunshot wounds.
According to the preliminary investigation, in response to an insult towards him another soldier of the same unit with the motive of revenge fired shots from the rifle attached to him in the direction of G. Avetisyan and S. Aramyan on April 6, 2016 at 02: 30 a.m.

Based on the evidence obtained the private soldier is charged under Article 104, Part 2, point 1 and 6 of the RA Criminal Code (murder of two and more persons committed in a way dangerous for the life of many people). The investigator submitted a petition to the Court requesting to use detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained։[3]

Hakob Gevorgyan (25 May, RA)

The criminal case initiated over Hakob Gevorgyan’s death in The 9^th garrison investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee is over. Essential circumstances were revealed about the case.

Due to the sufficient evidence obtained during the pre-trial process charges were made against 5 people. Gevorg Kosboglyan was charged under Article 104 , Part 1 and Article 359, Part 2, point 1 of the RA Criminal Code and arrested.

Vardikyan was charged under Article 359, Part 2, point 1 of the RA Criminal Code and a preventive measure was imposed against him on not leaving the country.
Karapetyan was charged under Article 359, Part 2, point 1 and 2, Y. Serobyan under Article 359, Part 2, point 1 and 2, and V. Grigoryan was charged under Article 359, Part 2, point 2 of the RA Criminal code. He was assigned under the supervision of the commander as a precautionary measure. The criminal case with the indictment was sent to the prosecutor supervising the preliminary investigation.[4]
Vahagn Virabyan (15 October, NK)

Based on the initial investigation, on October 15, 2016, at approximately 8:40 a.m. consecutive shots were fired in the direction of temporary soldier private Vahagn Virabyan, who was on duty on the combat post of the N military unit’s watchtower, by another private soldier who was on duty in another combat post. The soldier fired from a rifle attached to him.

In combination of the evidence obtained, the private was charged under Article 104, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (Murder). A

A petition was sent to the court to apply detention as a restraint against him, which was sustained: [5]

Vardan Arakelyan (13 November, NK)

According to preliminary information, on November 13, 2016, at approximately 2:15 a.m. the junior sergeant, who was appointed for a combat duty in the defense area of the N combat post, fired a number of gunshots from the rifle attached to him in the direction of another combat post. A criminal case was initiated under article 365, part 3 of the RA Criminal Code:[6]

12 suicides

David Terteryan (18 February, NK)
Temur Soloyan (19 February, NK)

For more information see above in the description of Kamo Hovhannisyan’s murder.

Sargis Ohanyan (11 March, NK)
Kamo Martirosyan (14 March, ՀՀ)

The investigation of soldier Kamo Martirosyan’s death case initiated at 6th garrison investigative division of the Investigative Committee revealed the circumstances of the case and charges were brought against 5 soldiers. Based on the evidence obtained, charges were brought against 5 soldiers (4 temporary soldiers and 1 contract soldier). Two temporary soldiers were charged under Article 360, Part 1 (insulting a serviceman, i.e. humiliation of honor or self-esteem concerned with the implementation of one’s service duties, by another serviceman) of the RA Criminal Code. , two soldiers were charged under Article 360, Part 2 (Insulting a serviceman committed by a subordinate to a commander, as well as, by a commander to a subordinate, concerned with implementation of one’s service duties )of the RA Criminal Code. Senior sergeant was charged under Article 360, Part 2, Article 365, Part 1 (Violation of combat duty regulations) and Article 375, Part 1(Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction) of the RA Criminal Code։[7]

Mesorp Ghurshudyan (29 March, ՀՀ)
Sevak Khachatryn (12 April, NK)

The 9th Garrison Chief Military Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case to find out the circumstances of temorary soldier Sevak Khachatryan’s death. The Criminal Case was initiated under Article 110, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (Causing somebody to commit suicide or make an attempt at a suicide by indirect willfulness or by negligence, by means of threat, cruel treatment or regular humiliation of one’s dignity). [8]

Hovhannes Petrosyan (25 April, ՀՀ)

An investigation is underway at the Sixth Garrison Investigative Department of the General Military Investigation department of the Investigative Committee to determine the cause of death of soldier Hovhannes Petrosyan.
On April 25, 2016 at 8:15 p.m. the body of Private Hovhannes Petorosyan was found with a mortal gunshot wound to the head in the firing positions of the N unit of the RA MoD. The body was in the trunk of Gaz 66 vehicle.

Urgent investigative and judicial actions are carried out to find out the circumstances of the case.: [9]

Hrant Grigoryan (17 May, NK)

2^nd investigative division of the RA Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case regarding the death of soldier Hrant Grigoryan’s death case. Charges were brought against the platoon commander V.Balayan. Based on the evidence obtained, V. Balayan was charged under Article 358.1, Part 2 (Battery or other violent actions against thesubordinate) of the RA Criminal Code and Article 360, Part 2 (Insulting a serviceman by a subordinate to a commander, as well as, by a commander to a subordinate, concerned with implementation of one’s service duties). The investigator petitioned to have detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained by the Court [10]

Arsen Mkhitaryan (3 July, RA)
M. Haroutyunyan (31 October, RA)
Ivan Hayrapetyan (17 October, RA)
Albert Postolakya (8 December, NK)

A criminal case was initiated under Article 34-104, Part 1 and Article 110, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code In the third garrison investigative department over soldiers Albert Postolakyan’s death and Garnik Terteryan’s shrapnel wounds [11]

28 ceasefire regime violations (this does not include the information about the soldier who died during the “four-day war”)

Aramayis Voskanyan (9January, NK)
Simon Tshavrshyan (5 February, NK)
Artyom Varderesyan (17 March, NK)
Vladimir Melkonyan (1 April, NK)
Armen Gasparyan (6 April, NK)
Hrach Mouradyan (8 April, NK)
Manvel Gevorgyan (14 April, NK)
Hamlet Hajoyan (14 April, NK)
Gevorg Gevorgyan (19 April, NK)
Marat Danielyan (21 April, NK)
Tigran Poghosyan (26 April, NK)
Aram Arushanyan (26 ապրիլ, NK)
Hayk Minasyan (26 April, NK)
Garik Movsisyan (30 April, NK)
Vazgen Haroutyunyan (30 April, NK)
Ashot Zohrabyan (1 May, NK)
Sargis Gasparyan (2 May, RA)
Armen Martirosyan (11 May, NK)
Aram Ohanyan (14 May, RA)
Khchatur Haroutyunyan (17 May, NK)
Vahe Yeghoyan (25 May, NK)
Sevak Khachatryan (25 September, NK)
Gurgen Ayvazyan (10 October, NK)
Sanasar Grigoryan (11 October, NK )
Narek Asatryan (11 November, NK)
Shavarsh Melikyan (29 december, RA)
Edgar Narayan (29 december, RA)
Erik Abovyan (29 december, RA)

14 fatal incidents

Ruslan Harutyunyan, Karen Karapetyan and Vahan Ghukasyan died in the same car accident on March 9 on the Yerevan-Yeghegnadzor highway.

Arsen Hovsepyan (23 March, RA)
Vardan Matevosyan (4 April RA)
Karen Davtyan (5 April, NK)
Garnik Avetisyan (11 April, RA)
Vardan Ghrmajyan
Armen Gazaryan

Vardan Ghrmajyan and Armen Gazarayan died in a natural disaster- flood caused by heavy rain and strong wind on June 8 in Nagorno Karabakh.

Davit Safaryan (5 August, RA)
Vachagan Hayrapetyan (10 October, RA)
Davit Vardanyan (27 October, RA)
Armen Musikyan (8 December, RA)
Aleksan Simonyan (8 December, RA)

Armen Musikyan and Aleksan Simonyan died in the same car accident near town Goris.

In the 9^th garrison investigative division of the Investigative Department a criminal case was initiated under article 242, part 3 of the RA Criminal Code. An investigation is underway:[12]

2 soldiers died as a result of health issues.

Suren Mosiyan (29 May, NK)
Derenik Khakhalyan (30 October, RA)

1 soldier died from electrocution.

Sargis Manukyan (30 March, RA)

The 8th Garrison Investigative Division of the Military Investigative Department initiated a criminal case under Article 376, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (Negligent attitude to military service that negligently caused grave consequences) over Sargis Maukyan’s death from electrocution. Charges were brought against the deputy commander of the rear of municipal service and the head of the military unit of utility operation. All necessary investigative and judicial actions are carried out to ensure comprehensive, complete and objective investigation of the circumstances of the case.

In combination of the obtained evidence A. Yavriyanin and H. Khanoyan were charged under Article 376 part 2 of the Criminal Code (negligent attitude towards service, if they negligently caused grave consequences). For the latter signature on not leaving was chosen as a precautionary measure: [13]

4 soldiers died as a result of violation of safety rules.

Gevorg Mghdesyan (8 April, NK)

The Express. am website found out that despite the RA MoD news outlets and other media outlets insisting that G. Mghdesyan was not killed in the fights in the beginning of April in Nagorno Karabakh, in response to their enquiry to the RA MoD the Ministry provided them with list of deceased soldiers in NK in the beginning of April and Gevorg Mghdesyan was listed in the group “ non-combat casualties”.

“The resident of town Nor Hajn, Kotayk region, 20-year-old soldier Gevorg Mghdesyan died on April 7, 2016 in the NK frontline. The official hypothesis is that he received a gunshot wound in yet unknown circumstances. A criminal case was initiated over the death of the soldier and the investigation is underway. A co-serviceman of Mghdesyan was arrested. He is charged under Article 373, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code (Breach of rules for handling weapons, ammunition and items dangerous for others). The investigation is carried out in Nagorno Karabakh, the name of the arrested soldier is a secret.”-reported the website. http://www.epress.am…

Spartak Kalashyan (20 April, NK)

According to the preliminary investigation on On April 21, 2016 at approximately 7:00 a.m. in a combat post of N military unit temporary soldier Private H. Bareyan violated the rules of handling weapon while cleaning the rifle attached to him , and fired as a result temporary soldier Private Spartak Kalashyan received a mortal gunshot wound on the head. A criminal case was initiated for breach of rules of handling the gun causing death by negligence. H. Bareyan is arrested.:[14]

Karen Aghabekyan (21 April, NK)

According to preliminary data, on April 21, 2016 at approximately 2:30, the passenger in UAZ model car Private P. Yegoryan violating the rules of handling weapons fired from his gun. As a result the driver of the same vehicle Private Karen Aghabekyan received a deadly gunshot wound on the right area of the chest.

The First Garrison Investigative Department initiated a criminal case for violation of the rules of handling weapon and causing death by negligence. P. Yegoryan was arrested.:[15]

Khoren Haroutyunyan (2 June, NK)

The investigation revealed that Kh. Horoutyunyan was fatally shot in the combat post by A. Khachatryan as a result of the violation of the rules for handling weapons by the latter.

Junior Sergeant was arrested under Article 373, part 3 of the RA Criminal Code (breach of rules for handling weapons, ammunition and items dangerous for others, which negligently caused the human death)։ [16]

We have not yet been able to obtain complete information about the cause of death of 13 soldiers and 1 volunteer.

Sevak Hambarzumyan (24 March, RA)

Hambardzumyan was found with a gunshot wound in the forehead on March 24, 2016, at approximately 9:20a.m. in the shooting range of the N military unit of the RA Mod. He died on the way to Kapan hospital. Chichakyn was arrested on March 29, 2016 on suspicion of committing crimes envisaged under Article 375, Part 1 (Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction, if these acts were committed for mercenary or group-interest motives, by a commander or official ) and Article 360, Part 2 (insulting a serviceman) of the RA Criminal Code.

Gevorg Asoyan (1 March, RA)

The 6th Military Garrison Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case over the death of temporary soldier Gevorg Asoyan. On April 13, 2016 another temporary soldier of the same unit M. Melikyan was charged under Article 360, Part one (episode 3). The same day the investigator petitioned to have detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained by the Court։ [17]

The bodies of private soldiers Igor Hakobyan and Koryun Haroutyunyan were found in one of the NK military units on May 3, 2016 at 00:20a.m. The external examination did not reveal any traces of torture and gunshot wounds on bodies. A family member of one of the soldiers said that the incident happened in Jrakni, the soldiers were in a building, the roof collapsed and the soldiers died. [18]

Gevorg Haroutyunyan (2 August, NK)
Vahan Mikayelyan (4 August, NK)
Arayik Ordubekyan (2 September, NK)
Gegham Yeghiazaryan (5 September, RA)
Arman Ghandilyan (07 September, NK)
Narek Patatanyan (16 September, NK)

On September 16, at 1:00p.m. private Narek Patatanyan (Born in 1997) received a mortal gunshot wound in a military unit of NK Defense Army and was taken to the military hospital where he died at approximately 4:30 p.m.The first garrison investigative department of the RA IC military investigative department initiated a criminal case which revealed several circumstances of Narek Patatanyan’s death. Based on the evidence, charges were brought against 6 persons.

Detention was chosen as a precautionary measure for 5 of them, and only one of them was given under supervision of commander of the Defense Ministry’s N military unit: [19]

Edgar Chaghlyan (29 June, RA )

The 20-year old young man drowned in the reservoir On June 29 in Noubarashen, Yerevan near the military shooting area. He was soldier Edgar Chaghlyan who had been serving for two years and was soon to be discharged.

Hereby we present the names of the soldiers deceased in the “four-day” war in April

Posted: January 13th, 2017 under Reports and Publications.
Comments: none

R. Martirosyan: How the army mafia really works.

Peace Dialogue NGO expert Ruben Martirosyan is one of the exceptional experts who was present at more than 500 autopsies. He particularly deals with the cases of soldiers which remain undisclosed to public. How the concealment of the case actually takes place.

Mr. Martirosyan is convinced that all the high ranking officials are usually aware of the details of any murder in the army, however they conceal it with the following mechanism.

““There are no unsolved cases: the investigator finds out who murdered that specific person, why, in what circumstances and when he did that, and only then the investigator start closing the case. When the “master” of that murderer is called upon, that’s when the “trade” begins. All the fingerprints are erased, the murder scene is changed and new fake witnesses are created. Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased soldier are unaware of what happened to their son. ”

The complete article can be found here www.lragir.am

Posted: December 27th, 2016 under Video.
Comments: none

The Investigative Committee is bothered by an article entitled “How the army mafia works”.

In the first video Peace Dialogue NGO expert Ruben Martirosyan in an interview with lragir.am described how the concealment of a criminal case is usually carried out.

“There are no unsolved cases: the investigator finds out who murdered that specific person, why, in what circumstances and when he did that, and only then the investigator start closing the case. When the “master” of that murderer is called upon, that’s when the “trade” begins. All the fingerprints are erased, the murder scene is changed and new fake witnesses are created.”

http://www.lragir.am…

In the second video R. Martirosyan refers to the so-called “activism” that the Investigative Committee showed after the previous video was released. The investigative Committee was obviously disturbed by the publication: a decision was made to initiate a criminal case. The authors of the publication journalist Tehmine Yenokyan was called upon to give explanation. An attempt was made to “invite” Ruben Martirosyan too, however, if the journalist was sent a notice and invited to the Investigative Committee within the law (although it was not specified for what publication exactly she was supposed to give explanation), the expert simply received a phone and was told to show up. He did not receive any notice.

http://www.lragir.am

Posted: December 27th, 2016 under Video.
Comments: none

The number of fatalities in the RA and NK armed forces for january-september of 2016 (infographic)

The results of the observations carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO regarding the fatalities in the Armenian and NK Armed Forces during the period January-September 2016. It also includes the list of soldiers who died in the “four-day war”, which is presented separately.

In the mentioned period, the organization received information about 66 death cases, and 80 more death cases that were recorded during the “four-day war. According to mamul.am Minister of Health informed about the death of one soldier, however our organization was unable to verify the identity of that soldier.

5 out 66 death cases are murders.

Kamo Hovhannisyan (19 February, NK)

Second Military Garrison Investigation Division of the General Investigation Department initiated a criminal case over the deaths of two soldiers.

According to the preliminary information, on February 19, 2016 at approximately 6:50 a.m. private soldier T. Sloyan who was the machine-gunner of the 3rd squad at N military unit, in the combat post of the same unit shot the commander of the same squad, junior Sergeant Kamo Hovhannisyan in the face from the machine gun. K. Hovhannisyan died right there after which private Sloyan shot himself in the head and died.

Hovhannes Haroutyunyan (17 March, NK)

Grigor Avetisyan(6 April, NK)
Surnen Aramyan (6 April, NK)

Based on the evidence obtained the private soldier is charged under Article 104, Part 2, point 1 and 6 of the RA Criminal Code (murder of two and more persons committed in a way dangerous for the life of many people). The investigator submitted a petition to the Court requesting to use detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained։[2]

Hakob Gevorgyan (25 May, RA)

The 9^th garrison investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case regarding soldier Hakob Gevorgyan’s death under Article 104 of the RA Criminal Code. A criminal investigative group was formed.
Based on the preliminary investigation on the day of the case there was an argument among a group of soldiers which turned into a fight. The preliminary investigation obtained evidence that during the mentioned incident temprorary soldier G. Kosboglyan hit H. Gevorgyan with hands and feet on different parts of his body and then with a sharp piercing object stabbed Gevorgyan on the left part of the chest after which he injured another soldier, private A. Karapetyan.

Based on the evidence obtained G.Kosoboglyan was charged under Article 104 , Part 1 and Article 359, Part 2, point 1 of the RA Criminal Code. The investigator petitioned to have detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained։[3]

8 soldiers committed suicide

Davit Terteryan(18 February, NK)
Temur Soloyan (19 February, NK)

For more information see above in the description of Kamo Hovhannisyan’s murder.

Sargis Ohanyan (11 March, NK)
Kamo Martirosyan (14 March, RA)

Based on the evidence obtained, charges were brought against 5 soldiers (4 temporary soldiers and 1 contract soldier). Two temporary soldiers were charged under Article 360, Part 1 (insulting a serviceman, i.e. humiliation of honor or self-esteem concerned with the implementation of one’s service duties, by another serviceman) of the RA Criminal Code. , two soldiers were charged under Article 360, Part 2 (Insulting a serviceman committed by a subordinate to a commander, as well as, by a commander to a subordinate, concerned with implementation of one’s service duties )of the RA Criminal Code.

Senior sergeant was charged under Article 360, Part 2, Article 365, Part 1 (Violation of combat duty regulations) and Article 375, Part 1(Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction) of the RA Criminal Code[4]

Mesrop Ghurshudyan (29 March, RA)
Hovhannes Petrosyan (25 April, RA)
Hrant Grigoryan(17 May, NK)

Based on the evidence obtained, V. Balayan was charged under Article 358.1, Part 2 (Battery or other violent actions against thesubordinate) of the RA Criminal Code and Article 360, Part 2 (Insulting a serviceman by a subordinate to a commander, as well as, by a commander to a subordinate, concerned with implementation of one’s service duties). The investigator petitioned to have detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained by the Court։[5]

Arsen Mkhitaryn (3 July, RA)

On July 3, 2016 at 10:30a.m. private Arsen Arthur Mkhitaryan’s body was found in the combat post of one of the RA MoD units with a fatal gunshot wound on the chest.

The 6^th garrison investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case under Article 110, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code[6]

24 ceasefire regime violations (this does not include the information about the soldier who died during the “four-day war”)

Aramayis Voskanyan(9 January, NK)
Simon Tshavrshyan (5 February, NK)
Artyom Varderesyan (17 March, NK)
Vladimir Melqonyan (1 April, NK)
Armen Gasparyan (6 April, NK)
Gevorg Mghdesyan (8 April, NK)
Hrach Mouradyan (8 April, NK)
Manvel Gevorgyan (14 April, NK)
Hamlet Hajoyan (14 April, NK)
Gevorg Gevorgyan (19 April, NK)
Marat Danielyan (21 April, NK)
Tigran Pogosyan ( 26 April, NK)
Aram Arushanyan (26 April, NK)
Hayk Minasyan (26 April, NK)
Garik Movsisyan (30 April, NK)
Vazgen Harutyunyan (30 April, NK)
Ashot Zoharabyan (1 May, NK)
Sargis Gasparyan (2 May, RA)
Armen Martirosyan (11 մ May, NK)
Aram Ohanyan (14 May, RA)
Khacahatur Haroutyunyan (17 May, NK)
Vahe Yeghoyan (25 May, NK)
Sevak Khachatryan (25 September, NK)
Arayik Ordubekyan (2 September, NK)

10 Fatality incident

Ruslan Haroutyunyan, Karen Karapetyan and Vahan Ghukasyan died in the same car accident on March 9 on Yerevan-Yeghegnadzor roadway.

Arsen Hovsepyan (23 March, RA)
Vardan Matevosyan (4 April, RA)
Karen Davtsyan (5 April, NK)
Garnik Avetisyan (11 April, RA)
Vardan Ghrmajyan
Armen Ghazaryan

Vardan Ghrmajyan and Armen Ghazaryan were killed in a natural disaster ( flood caused by heavy rain and strong wind) on June 8, 2016 in Nagorno Karabakh.

Davit Safaryan (5 August, RA)

1 soldier died as a result of health problems.

Suren Mosiyan (29 May, NK)

1 soldier was electrocuted to death.

A criminal case is initiated under Article 376, Part 2 (Negligent attitude to service which negligently caused grave consequences) of the RA Criminal Code

Sargis Manukyan (30 March, RA)

3 soldiers died as a result of violation of safety rules.

Spartak Kalashyan (20 April, NK)

According to the preliminary investigation on April 21, 2016 at approximately 7:00 a.m. in a combat post of N military unit temporary soldier Private H. Bareyan while cleaning the rifle attached to him fired, as a result temporary soldier Private Spartak Kalashyan received a mortal gunshot wound on the head.

First garrison Investigative Division initiated a criminal case for breach of rules of handling the gun causing death by negligence. Bareyan is arrested:[7]

Karen Aghabekyan (21 April, NK)

According to the preliminary information on April 21, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. the passenger of UAZ model car of the N minitary unit, private P. Yegoryan violating the rules of handling weapons fired a gunshot. As a result mandatory conscript Karen A. Aghabekyan received a fatal gunshot wound to the right part of the chest.

Junior Sergeant was arrested for breach of rules for handling weapons, ammunition and items dangerous for others, which negligently caused the human death.[8]

Khoren Haroutunyan (2 June, NK)

The investigation revealed that Kh. Horoutyunyan was fatally shot in the combat post by A. Khachatryan as a result of the violation of the rules for handling weapons by the latter.

We have not yet been able to obtain complete information about the cause of death of 13 soldiers and 1 volunteer.

Sevak Hambarzumyan (24 March, RA)

Gevorg Asoyan (1 March, RA)

The 6th Military Garrison Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case over the death of temporary soldier Gevorg Asoyan. On April 13, 2016 another temporary soldier of the same unit M. Melikyan was charged under Article 360, Part one (episode 3). The same day the investigator petitioned to have detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained by the Court[10]

Robert Abrahamyan (10 March, RA)
Sevak Khachatryan (12 March, NK)
Onik Sahakyan (21 March, NK)
Igor Hakobyan
Koryun Haroutyunyan

Gevorg Harutyunyan (2 August, NK)

August 2, 2016 at 3:00p.m. , in the preservation are of one of the military units located in the eastern direction of the NK Defense Army soldier Gevorg Haroutyunyan (Born in 1996).

Vahan Mikaelyan (4 August, NK)

According to the preliminary information junior sergeant Vahan Mikaelyan received a fatal gunshot wound to the left eye on August 4, 2016 at approximately 9:00 a.m from the riffle attached to him while he was on observation duty: [12]

Arayik Ordubekyan (2 September, NK)
Gegham Yeghiazaryan (5 September, RA)

On September 5, 2016, at approximately 3:30p.m. Subaltern Gegham Yeghiazaryan’s body was found in a scar under the cliff which is on the way to combat post of RA MoD N military unit.: [13]

Arman Ghandilyan (07 սեպտեմբեր, ԼՂ)

Soldier Arman Ghandilyan (born in 1997) recieved a gunshot wound in the left cheek on September 7, 2016 at approximately 1:30a.m. [14]

Narek Patatanyan (16 September, NK)

The first garrison investigative department of the RA IC military investigative department initiated a criminal case which revealed several circumstances of Narek Patatanyan’s death. Based on the evidence, charges were brought against 6 persons.

Detention was chosen as a precautionary measure for 5 of them, and only one of them was given under supervision of commander of the Defense Ministry’s N military unit:[15]

Edgar Cahghlyan (29 June, RA )

According to news. am a family member of one of the deceased soldiers in an interview said that the incident happened in Jrakn. The soldiers were in a building. The roof of the building collapsed which resulted in the death of all the soldiers.

Hereby we present the names of the soldiers deceased in the “four-day” war in April

[1] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/hovhannes-harutyunyan-spanutyun-mexadranq.html

[2] http://www.investigative.am/en/news/view/erku-zincarayoxi-spanutyun.html

[3] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/hakob-gevorgyan-spanutyun.html

[4] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/kamo-martirosyan-mexadranqner.html

[5] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/hrant-grigoryan-mah-mexadranq.html

[6] http://investigative.am/news/view/zincarayox-arsen-mxitaryan.html

[7] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/spartak-qalashyan-mah.html

[8] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/karen-aghabekyan-mah.html

[9] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/xoren-harutyunyan.html

[10] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/zincarayox-asoyan-gevorg.html

[11] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/koryun-harutyunyan-igor-hakobyan.html

[12] http://investigative.am/news/view/zincarayogh-mah.html

[13] http://investigative.am/news/view/entaspa-mah.html

[14] http://investigative.am/news/view/arman-xandilyan.html

[15] http://investigative.am/news/view/patatanyan-6-zincarayoxi-mexadranq.html

Posted: October 13th, 2016 under Reports and Publications.
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The Fatal Accidents Statistics in the Armenian Army (Infographics)

The material was prepared based on the available data from www.safesoldiers.am database.

Over the past six years, 33% of the fatalities in non-combat situations occurred because of fatal accidents.

67 fatalities out of 206 recorded in the RA and NK armed forces during the period 2010-2015 were fatal accidents. That number does not include the fatalities that were the result of ceasefire regime violations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the line of contact. That number of the accidents is presented in Infographic 1.

Infographic 1. The number of accidents by years.

Comparing the number of deaths caused by accidents and the ones that were the result of ceasefire violations registered during the same period it becomes clear that until 2014 the number of victims in both cases is equal, while in 2015 there was an unprecedented increase of numbers of victims (See Infographic 2). If the increase in the number of victims of ceasefire regime violation can be explained by the tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the increase in the number of fatal accidents is not conditioned by any factor.

Infographic 2. Comparison between the number of soldiers deceased in fatal incidents and ceasefire regime violations for the period 2010-2015

Depending on the established army structure the military unit of 7-9 servicemen comprises one squad. Three squads make one platoon, while a number of platoons form one military company. Thus, approximately 70-100 soldiers serve in one company. Guided by these criteria, during the last 6 years the Armenian army lost approximately one company of soldiers (See Infographic 3) as a result of fatal accidents.

Infographic 3. Within the period of 2010-2015 the Armenian military forces lost approximately 1 military company of soldiers as a result of fatal accidents.

See also the suicides and murders statistics in the Armenian Army for 2010-2015.

The Infographic 4 shows the fatal accidents by causes. The accidents of civil and military vehicles prevail (76%) among the causes of deaths of soldiers. In many cases those were personal cars not the vehicles that were attached to a military unit. Thus, it is not clear whether the soldiers were on duty or not at the time of the accident. The prevailing number of victims died in military vehicle accidents. It is not clear whether the accidents were caused by the violations of traffic rules or by the malfunction of military equipment. We have applied to the RA Investigative Committee for the information regarding investigations of these cases. We will make the appropriate additions to this article after receiving relevant information about the cases or the concrete persons who were brought to responsibility.

Infographic 4. The fatal accidents and their causes for 2010-2015.

There are a number of incidents (15%) that are difficult to classify: drowning, falls from height, avalanche, etc. 6% of the fatalities occurred during military training. There is a separate category of deaths by electrocutions (3%). Due to lack of sufficient information about death cases related to the last two causes, it is difficult to say whether the attitude or negligence of co-servicemen and officers played a role in this.

The Statistics of Fatal Accidents in the Armed Forces for the period 2010-2016 in Adobe PDF format (1.4 MB)

Posted: September 12th, 2016 under Expert Analysis.
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