Relatives of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan agreed to return home after their meeting with Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan. The soldier was killed by his comrade on May 15 at Noyemberyan army unit.
To recall, on May 15 at 3:30pm, soldier David Khachatryan fired at Luks Stepanyan from his automated gun. Stepanyan died of the wound in the head. Another soldier Hrachya Sargsyan was hospitalized with gunshot wound in the head. He is currently at the reanimation department of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry. Earlier, father of the killed, resident of Verin Getashen, Gegharkunik Region, Ishkhan Stepanyan said that he intends to deliver the body of his son to the government building in Yerevan and demand explanations from the defense minister. Road Police and officers of the Defense Ministry of Armenia obstructed entry of a cortege carrying body of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan to Yerevan. The cortege stopped on Sevan-Yerevan highway and the relatives of the killed soldier squabbled with the police. As a result, the relatives and the villagers of the killed soldier damaged the police vehicle.
Head of the Military Police Samvel Ghoukassyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Police Head Vladimir Gasparyan have left to meet with the relatives of the killed Luks Stepanyan. Minister Ohanyan promised the relatives of the killed soldier that the tragedy will be thoroughly inquired into and all those guilty in it will be published. The minister promised open investigation.
On the basis of the criminal case initiated over the incident, charges will be brought against David Khachatryan on Article 104.2 and Article 112.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. In addition, a petition will be made to the court for Khachatryan's arrest. An action of protest is currently underway in front of the Government building.