Armenian soldiers die in mysterious circumstances
By Rashid Shirinov
The increasing number of deaths in non-combat conditions in the Armenian army remains alarming. Almost every day, Armenian media report about fatal cases in the military units of the Armenian army.
Recently, the Armenian media reported about another death of a serviceman in the Armenian-occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Thus, on the night of September 6-7, as a result of violation of combat duty rules, soldier Arman Ghandilyan, 21, got a fatal gunshot wound.
Another horrible incident was fixed on September 5 when warrant officer Gegham Yeghiazaryan was killed in unclear circumstances. His body was found near the road leading to the outpost of a military unit.
And another Armenian soldier became the victim of his fellow officers on the night of September 2-3. Araik Ordubekyan was found dead in a military unit of the Armenian Armed Forces stationed in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Initially, it was announced that the soldier was struck by “an enemy bullet”, but soon it became clear that it was a lie.
These three deaths are just drops in the ocean of the non-combat deaths. Armenian mothers are afraid of sending their sons to Army and therefore the families try to find any opportunity to keep their sons far from that horror.
Armenian human rights activist Zhanna Alexanyan told 1in.am that the number of homicides and suicides in the Armenian army also increased. She believes that the reason for this is impunity.
The fact that the murders are being announced by Investigative Committee is a nonsense, Alexanyan assures, as the Defense Ministry is obliged to give explanations regarding the deaths of soldiers. The human rights activist believes the Armenian Ministry of Defense avoids responsibility or there is some internal arrangement.
“Where is the Military Prosecution? I cannot find a single case of soldier murder which would have brought to justice high-ranking officers. They are simply not prosecuted," she stressed, adding that the “top” decided that these cases should not be solved.
The officers who are responsible for deaths of soldiers do not get any punishment in Armenia – the country’s corrupt judicial system protects them, she said.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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