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    The Suicides and Murders Statistics in the Armenian Army (Infographics)

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

    Over a period of six years, from 2010 to 2015 the RA and NK armed forces suffered a total of 206 fatal casualties, of which 48 were results of suicides and 43 results of murders. 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. In percentage this numbers are equivalent to 23% and 21% of total non-combat casualties during the last 6 years.

    The statistics of suicides and murders for the last six years are presented in Infographics 1 and 2.

    Infographic 1. Soldiers died as a result of suicide in the armenian military forces
    during the period 2010 – 2015

    infographic_1

    Infographic 2. Soldiers died as a result of murder in the armenian military forces
    during the period 2010 – 2015

    infographic_2

    As seen in the Infographics above, the highest number of suicides was recorded in 2012 (13 soldiers), while the highest number of murders were in 2010 (16 soldiers). The data include both intentional and unintentional murders, based on the articles of criminal code under which the investigation of the cases is being done.

    The Kalashnikov rifle, AK 47, or its latest modifications, have been officially accepted and used by the Armenian Armed Forces from the first days of the Armenian Army. This automatic gun is the main tool of the suicides and murders in the Army. The Infographic 3 presents the technical characteristics of AK-47.

    Infographic 3. Technical characteristics of AK-47

    infographic_3

    accidents_slider_eng_u
    See also the fatal accidents statistics in the Armenian Army for 2010-2015.

    The observation of the criminal cases shows that the majority of suicides and murders during the mentioned period were recorded in the military units stationed on the Armenian -Azerbaijani border or the line of contact (92%).

    Experts and MoD officials note that the reason for this phenomenon is the easier access to the military ammunition.

    According to the observation of 22 criminal cases related to suicides and murders in the mentioned period, carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO’s military expert, the fingerprints have never been revealed on the murder weapon in any of those 22 cases.

    Infographic 4 illustrates the data comparison between the numbers of soldiers deceased as a result of suicide, murder and ceasefire regime violations for the period 2010-2015.

    Infographic 4. Comparison between the number of soldiers deceased as a result of suicides, murders and ceasefire regime violations for the period 2010-2015

    infographic_4

    As shown in the image, before 2013 more Armenian solders died as a result of suicide and murder than as a result of ceasefire violations. However, the number of military loses related to the violations of the ceasefire increased after 2014 as a consequence of tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and at the line of contact.

    The Infographic 4 also shows that during the period from 2010 to 2015 the suicides and murders took the lives of 91 soldiers.

    The next Infographic (Infographic 5) notes that this number is equivalent to lose of one military company.

    Infographic 5. In the last 6 years the armenian military forces lost more  than 1 military company of soldiers as a result of suicides and murders

    infographic_5

    The Suicides and Murders Statistics in the Armenian Army for the period 2010-2016 in Adobe PDF format (1.4 MB)

    An additional posthumous forensic examination has been appointed for the case of ManucharManucharyan

    During the court hearing on July 21, 2016 over the suicide case of a conscript soldier ManucharManucharyan (according to the official version he was driven to suicide), the Judge partially accepted the joint motion of the defendant and the injured party to have a new posthumous forensic medical examination.

    According to the previous examination carried out during the preliminary investigation by the expert Ms. Elda Grin Abrahamyan, Mr. Manucharyan “could” commit suicide because there is a causal link between his suicide and the actions of defendants Stepanyan and Gaboyan.

    In other words, the defendants, allegedly oppressed, beaten and humiliated Mr. Manucharyan, and as a result the latter committed suicide. The aggrieved party, both during the preliminary investigation and the trial,announced and presented evidence that Mr. Manucharyan was murdered and, therefore, the aggrieved party did not accept the false hypothesis of a suicide. The representative of the aggrieved party, Peace Dialogue NGO’s expert and criminologist, Mr. Rouben Martirosyan has been mentioning constantlythat as a result of an intentionally false investigation two innocent soldiers were arrested and had been kept in prison for more than two years.

    The aggrieved party did not accept Elda Grin Abrahamyan’s abovementioned conclusionalso. Rouben Martirosyan stated: “This expert made a conclusion based on only one soldier’s, Libik Mkrtchyan’s testimony which was obviously false.”

    According to Libik Mkrtchyan, on the day of the incident Mr. Manucharyan was depressed and discouraged and walked with his head down. The expert did not take into account the testimonies of the other 6 soldiers who were on guard service with Mr. Manucharyan the same day and mentioned in their testimonies that Manucharyan was in normal mood and was not depressed at all. One of the soldiers even mentioned that Manucharyan was even making jokes and telling funny stories to the others.

    During the hearing it became clear that Libik Mkrtchyan obviously gave false testimony and that he had to renounce some of his previous testimonies. During the hearing it was also revealed that during the preliminary investigation testimonies were obtained with violations of law and under pressure. At court they renounced their previous testimonies.

    Taking into consideration all the above mentioned, the defendant and the aggrieved party petitioned to have a double forensic medical examination, however the Judge had rejected the motion months ago.  Eventually, during this hearing a decision was made to have a supplementary examination instead of a double examination.

    The double examination provides that the examination must be carried out by another expert, however the Court made a decision to have a supplementary investigation instead, which means that the expert should be the same and he/she should complete his/her previous examination based on the new facts revealed during the court hearing and give a new expert opinion.

    Thus, it is envisaged that considering the newly discovered circumstances, the same expert Elda Grin Abrahamyan will give a new expert opinion. Mr. Martirosyan explains that the situation of this case is unique and unprecedented: all the evidence proves that there was a fourth gunshot wound on Manuchar Manucharyan (from behind, in the area of the thigh bone). Mr. Martirosyan insists that it was not a suicide but a murder.

    If Elda Grin Abrahamyan changes her opinion based on the newly revealed evidence, the supplementary examination may result in an acquittal verdictand the case may be returned to the preliminary investigative body for a new investigation.

    The RA Administrative Court of Appeal also rejected the Peace Dialogue NGOs’ appeal.

    The RA Administrative Court of Appeal in its decision of April 25, 2016 allowed Peace Dialogue NGOs appeal against the RA Administrative Court’s decision (11.03.2016) to proceed. The Administrative Court had rejected the organization’s appeal which challenged the legitimacy of the classification of secret information as described in Section 17, Point 42 and 43 of the list provided by Executive Order N9 of the RA Ministry of Defense and to partially annul the executive order.

    On July 8, 2016, the RA Administrative Court of Appeal rejected the organization’s appeal and upheld the administrative court’s decision.

    The decision will come into force one month after the date of publication, unless it is not appealed to the RA Court of Cassation.

    The number of fatalities in the RA and NK Armed Forces for January-June of 2016

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

    In the mentioned period, 55 death cases were recorded, and 80 more death cases that were recorded during the “four-day war.  According to mamul.am the Ministry of Health informed about the death of 1 more soldier however so far it was not possible to verify the identity of the soldier.

    5 out 56 death cases are murders.

    1. Kamo Hovhannisyan(February 19, 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.

    1. Hovhannes Haroutyunian(March 17, 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։[1]

    1. Grigori Avetisyan (April 6, NK)
    2. Suren Aramyan (April 6, NK)

    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 է։[2]

    1. Hakob Gevorgyan (May 25, RA)

    The 9th 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 and petitioned to have detention as a precautionary measure against the defendant, which was sustained[3].

    7 soldiers committed suicide

    1. David Terteryan (February 18, NK)
    2. Temur Sloyan (February 19, NK)

    The details of the case are described above in Kamo Hovhannisyan’s murder case.

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

    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[4]

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

    2nd 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.[5]

    22 ceasefire regime violations (does not include the information regarding the soldiers who died during the “four-day war”)

    1. Aramayis Voskanyan (January 9, NK)
    2. Simon Chavrshyan (February 5, NK)
    3.  Artyom Varderesyan (March 17, NK)
    4.  Vladimir Melkonyan (April 1, NK)
    5.  Armen Gasparyan (April 6, NK)
    6. Gevorg Mghdesyan (April 8, NK)
    7.  Hrach Mouradyan (April 8, NK)
    8.  Manvel Gevorgyan (April 14, NK)
    9.  Hamlet Hajoyan (April 14, NK)
    10.  Gevorg Gevorgyan (April 19, NK)
    11.  Marat Danielyan (April 21, NK)
    12.  Tigran Poghosyan (April 26, NK)
    13.  Aram Arushyan (April 26, NK)
    14.  Hayk Minasyan (April 21, NK)
    15.  Garik Movsisyan (April 30, NK)
    16.  Vazgen Haroutyunyan (April 30, NK)
    17.  Ashot Zohrabyan (May 1, NK)
    18.  Sargis Gasparyan (May 2, NK)
    19.  Armen Martirosyan (May 11, NK)
    20.  Aram Ohanyan (May 14, NK)
    21.  Khachatur Haroutyunyan (May 17, NK)
    22.  Vahe Eghoyan (May 25, NK)

    9 fatal incidents

    1. Ruslan Haroutyunyan
    2. Karen Karapetyan
    3. Vahan Ghukasyan

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

    1. Arsen Hovsepyan (March 23, RA)
    2. Vardan Matevosyan (April 4, RA)
    3. Karen Davtyan (April 5, NK)
    4.  Garnik Avetisyan (April 11, RA)
    5. Vardan Ghrmajyan
    6. 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.

    1 soldier died because of health issues

    1.  Suren Mosiyan (May 29, 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

    1. Sargis Manukyan (March 30, RA)

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

    1.  Spartak Kalashyan (April 21, 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:[6]

    1. Karen Aghabekyan (April 21, NK)

    Acording 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.

    First Garrison Investigation Department initiated a criminal case for breach of rules for handling weapons, ammunition and items dangerous for others, which negligently caused the human death.[7]

    1. Khoren Haroutyunyan (June 2, NK)

    The investigation revealed that that Kh.Haroutyunyan 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)[8]

    We have not yet been able to obtain complete information about the cause of death of 7 soldiers and 1 volunteer.  

    1. Sevak Hambarzumyan  (March 24, 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.

    1.  Gevorg Asoyan (March 1, 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։[9]

    1.  Robert Abrahamyan (March 10, RA)
    2.  Sevak Khachatryan (March 12, NK)
    3.  Onik Sahakyan (March 21, NK )
    4.  Igor Hakobyan
    5.  Koryun Haroutyunyan

    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 the bodies.[10]

    8.Edgar Chaghlyan

    In an interview to news. am the family member of one of the soldiers said that the incident happened in Jrakn. The soldiers were in a building which roof collapsed and as a result they died.  

    The 20-year old young man drowned in the reservoir On June 29 in Noubarashen, Yerevan near the military shooting area was  soldier Edgar Chaghlyan who had been serving for two years and was soon to be discharged.
    He was the only child of the family. He was from Atik, Shirak region.
    The circumstances of his drowning are yet to be clarified.

    http://news.am…

    Below we present the names of the soldiers who died during the “four-day war” in NK.

    1. Onik Grigoryan
    2. Norayr Hajyan
    3. Gagik Parsadanyan
    4. Andranik Grigoryan
    5. Maksim Grigoryan
    6. Roman Poghosyan
    7. Karen Nersisyan
    8. Arman Andreasyan
    9. Boris Ozmanyan
    10. Arthur Gevorgyan
    11. Azat Simonyan
    12. Zhora Yesayan
    13. Nver Simonyan
    14. Ashot Shahbazyan
    15. Norayr Gasparyan
    16. David Sargsyan
    17. Yeghishe Nikalyan
    18. Sedrak Asryan
    19. Armen Beglaryan
    20. Eduard Aleksanyan
    21. Mayis Mirzoyan
    22. David Gasparyan
    23. Gegham Mkrtchyan
    24. Tigran Abgaryan
    25. Haik Grigoryan
    26. Aznaur Balayan
    27. Gharib Sahakyan
    28. Vladik Narinyan
    29. Hrant Gharibyan
    30. Gevorg Vardanyan
    31. Rudik Movsesyan
    32. Nikolay Hovsepyan
    33. Sargis Khalafyan
    34. Viktor Yuzikovich
    35. Gor Kirakosyan
    36. Aramayis Mikaelyan
    37. Vardan Tadevosyan
    38. Gagik Melkonyan
    39. Sasha Galstyan
    40. Argishti Gaboyan
    41. Masis Tovmasyan
    42. Bagrat Aleksanyan
    43. Tigran Berakchyan
    44. Grigor Haroutyunyan
    45. Suren Melkumyan
    46. Aleksan Arakelyan
    47. Adam Sahakyan
    48. Suren Chartanyan
    49. Artak Petrosyan
    50. Misha Aghajanyan
    51. Hrach Galstyan
    52. Vladimir Alikhanyan
    53. Davit Hayrapetyan
    54. Andranik Zohrabyan
    55. Robert Abajyan
    56. Beniamin Eghoyan
    57. Aram Abrahamyan
    58. Sargis Sahakyan
    59. Narek Mkrtchyan
    60. Rafik Hakobyan
    61. Aghasi Asatryan
    62. Harutyun Abrahamyan
    63. Haik Toroyan
    64. Ruben Iskandaryan
    65. Vrej Sargsyan
    66. Meruzhan Stepanyan
    67. Armenak Urfanyan
    68. Kyaram Sloyan
    69. Yuri Paramazyan
    70. Hovsep Kirakosyan
    71. Nodarik Margaryan
    72. Hovsep Mailyan
    73. Sasoun Mkrtchyan
    74. Mher Yerznkyan
    75. Vahe Zakaryan
    76. Henrik Ghahramanyan
    77. Norik Sargsyan
    78. Sergey Danghyan
    79. Karo Hambardzumyan
    80. Armen Hovhannisyan

    [1] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/hovhannes-harutyunyan-spanutyun-mexadranq.html
    [2] http://www.investigative.am/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://www.investigative.am/news/view/spartak-qalashyan-mah.html
    [7] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/karen-aghabekyan-mah.html
    [8] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/xoren-harutyunyan.html
    [9] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/zincarayox-asoyan-gevorg.html
    [10] http://www.investigative.am/news/view/koryun-harutyunyan-igor-hakobyan.html

     

    Case closed: incorrectly

    The investigation into the death of Private Haroutyun Hambaryan, a soldier of NK Defense Army unit number 49971, has come to an end since the investigative body decided to not pursue anyone else in relationship to his death. The case has therefore been officially classified as a suicide, however the family and others believe that he was in fact murdered

    Haroutyun’s family along with Peace Dialogue’s military expert Ruben Martirosyan do not agree with the official version of their son’s death. His father Hrair Hambaryan turned to Peace Dialogue NGO for support and assistance in the preliminary investigation and trial of the case. With the assistance of the organization’s expert criminologist, the father submitted a complaint to the Acting Head of the Investigative Department of the N 3 garrison; to the Military Prosecutor of garrison N, the prosecutor who supervised the preliminary investigation and to the RA Military prosecutor and Deputy Prosecutor.

    The complaint states that the shortcomings and contradictions of the case do not prove that Haroutyun did not commit suicide and that he was in fact murdered and that the decision to: “Not conduct a criminal prosecution” was made as a result of the failure to conduct a comprehensive and objective investigation of the case.  In addition, the complaint states that it is obvious that the investigating body is biased and that a number of significant facts show that they failed to take a number of investigative and judicial actions.

    Based on this, the complaint emphasized the importance of more comprehensive and objective investigations, and requests that the criminal case be returned to the preliminary investigative body and the investigative body of criminal must be instructed to comply with the investigative and procedural actions brought up in the afore mentioned petition.

    Date of incident: