Let Everyone Know What Happened: Deceased Soldier’s Village Mourns his Death

The most recent death of a conscript while serving in Armenia’s armed forces is Artur Norayr Mkhitaryan, who hadn’t yet turned 19 years old. He was from the village of Aragadz close to Echmiadzin and was conscripted last year by the Echmiadzin Commissariat.

Entering the village, one knows right away that something terrible had happened: “Artur 19” is written on large black ribbons. A typical Armenian village, it was natural that all the residents would be gathered near Artur’s family home; all were in mourning and sharing the family’s loss.

According to the release issued by the RA Ministry of Defense, Artur died as “a result of a violation of the law on use of weapons by a fellow conscript” (i.e. a fellow soldier’s gun fired accidentally). 

Speaking with Epress.am, Artur’s uncle Alexan, however, said that the Sept. 25 incident wasn’t an accident, since based on preliminary data from yesterday’s autopsy, the shooting occurred from a certain distance. 

“I was present during the autopsy; the doctor says that if [the shot] was from close by, the face would’ve been burned; however, there’s no burn whatsoever. And the shooter wasn’t an enemy, but an Armenian,” said Alexan.

According to him, Artur had just returned to the base from vacation on the 22nd of the month. 

“On the 22nd, his father and mother took him by hand to the unit, so that nothing would happen to him on the way. Three days later, they call and say your child has died. What can I say, I don’t know, the child wasn’t even 19 years old, now we have to give him to the earth [ie. take him to his grave].”

Asked by Epress.am whether Artur had any issues or conflicts during his time in the military, Alexan said that his nephew had no problems whatsoever with anyone.

“I myself spoke with the psychologist yesterday; that child served [in the army] normally, he was disciplined, he was the first to be sent on vacation. I don’t know what they’re going to say, what new versions they’ll come up with, I don’t know, but I’m going to be consistent [and follow-up]; if it was your child, what would you do? Well, see, see what situation the entire village is in, ay, this is the defense ministry, it’s the people [meaning, the people know the real reason for the death]. Why don’t you let me come, say it on TV, let everyone know what has happened, let me, I will come and speak. Why doesn’t any TV channel talk about this? I know too, that deaths in the army have increased, how long is this going to go on?” said Alexan with tears in his eyes.

An elderly man attempted to speak, but was unable; sobbing, he pulled away, saying, “It’s like this at the hands of these oligarchs, and it will always be like this.”

People gathered at the deceased soldier’s home were saying that the fellow conscript who shot him was a child raised in an orphanage. People were saying that until Artur came home, they stole his military ID card and phone from him. A few days later, he saw his ID card thrown on his bed. They assume that Artur and his fellow conscript fought on the border since Artur found out that he was the man who stole his phone. Then he, the fellow conscript, moved away and shot Artur.