Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

A conscript soldier David Khachatryan serving at Noyemberyan military unit of the Armenian Ministry of Defence`s shot dead his fellow soldier Luxe Stepanyan using his AKM automatic rifle and wounded another conscript Hrachya Sargsyan in the head on Wednesday around 15:30, arka.am quoted the Defence Ministry as saying.

Sargsyan was hospitalised.

The investigative service of the Defence Ministry of Armenia has initiated a criminal case under Article 104.2.6 of the Criminal Code (murder committed in a manner dangerous to the lives of many people.)

David Khachatryan has been detained and the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan made a statement in connection with the tragic event at Noyemberyan military unit.

"In such cases, the load of responsibility lies with the investigating authorities of the Defence Minister, the military prosecutor's office and the courts which are obliged to properly investigate the case and bring to justice the perpetrators in accordance with the law," the statement says.

The Ombudsman called the Armenian Defense Minister to submit in a clear annual report to the National Assembly on the human rights situation in the Armed Forces and in particular, the causes of deaths and acts of violence among servicemen as well as the situation with the provision of medical services, the activities of the Defence Ministry aimed at changing the situation and the results of those actions.

The officers of the Operational Response Department of the Ombudsman's Office were to visit a wounded soldier.

Reportedly, 50 soldiers die a year in the Armenain army, whilst no actions are taken to eliminate these facts. The parents blame incumbent government on the death of soldiers, saying only a few of the cases investigated and the perpetrators remain unpunished.

Armenia`s Soldier Mothers Union members reputedly demands from the government to release true statistics.

Earlier in January Helsinki Citizens` Assembly Vanadzor Office alarmed over the increasing soldier death cases in the country. The conscripts either become the victims of military harassment (dedovshina) or suicide in recent years.

The Office released more accurate statistics over the deaths of soldiers, denying the statistical information of the military prosecutor.

"There is an increase in the number of death cases in the Armenian Army compared to 2011. Thus, 48 soldiers were killed last year. Some 39 death were recorded in 2011," the statement said.

President Serzh Sargsyan`s government is sharply condemned in the statement on the ceasefire violations, which result death of soldiers who were sent to the frontline areas. Thus, a number of soldiers become victims of the Armenian invader policy.