COURT OF CASSATION OVERTURNS DECISION IN SOLDIER DEATH CASE AFTER PEACE DIALOGUE NGO APPEAL
The Armenian Court of Cassation issued a decision on February 12, 2025, concerning the case of conscript soldier Suren Artur Aramyan, who died from gunshot wounds under unclear circumstances on the night of April 5-6, 2016, along with conscript soldier Grigor Hermon Avetisyan. The decision focused on the investigation into Aramyan’s death and identified procedural violations.
Following multiple rejected appeals by the Prosecutor’s Office, the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Gegharkunik Marz, and the Criminal Court of Appeal, Peace Dialogue NGO’s special appeal to the Court of Cassation was accepted on January 31, 2023. The Court of Cassation’s recent ruling annulled the 2022 decision of the Criminal Court of Appeal, upholding the victim’s legal successor’s complaint and highlighting procedural violations during the investigation.
The court emphasized that no effective investigation had been conducted due to procedural breaches by the investigating authorities, which were overlooked by lower courts. Additionally, the ruling clarified the distinction between suspension and termination of criminal proceedings, underscoring that suspension is a temporary measure requiring ongoing efforts to identify suspects, unlike termination, which concludes the investigation.
The Court assigned responsibility to the competent public authority to rectify the violations of Suren Aramyan’s rights, as identified in the ruling.
Peace Dialogue NGO remains committed to ensuring justice and accountability in cases of human rights violations within the defense sector.
Posted 17 February, 2025
