Epress.am News from Armenia
On Nov. 19, relatives of soldiers wounded and killed as a result of bloodshed in one of the military units in Hadrut in Nagorno-Karabakh attempted to enter Stepanakert military hospital and avenge the deaths of their loved ones on 19-year-old Manvel Hazroyan, who they say is the person responsible, reports local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”).
After the incident, the relatives received misinformation that wounded soldier Sargis Melkumyan died from his wounds in the Yerevan military hospital, which then fueled the flames of the relatives’ anger.
Manvel Hazroyan’s attorney, NKR Chamber of Attorneys (Advocates) Public Defender’s Office attorney Armen Simonyan informed the paper that he was supposed to visit his client on that day; however, investigators called him and said, Hazroyan’s not there.
“When I asked why, they told me that the relatives of Melkumyan and other wounded soldiers have caused a riot near the hospital and attempted to get into Hazroyan’s room and seek revenge,” he said, adding that relatives were unable to enter the hospital as the entrance was closed off by numerous military police officers.
However, the group did not leave right away, they stayed for a few hours near the hospital entrance, then left, threatening to return.
Armen Simonyan also stated that his client will be moved to a solitary room in two weeks, but until then, law enforcement officers will continue to stand by and ensure his safety. The attorney also noted that the situation has calmed down and the wounded soldier, Melkumyan’s situation is no longer serious.
Reports circulated yesterday also noted that Melkumyan testified that Hazroyan was not the one who shot at the soldiers; however, speaking to Haykakan Jamanak, the RA Ministry of Defense investigation department said that there is no new information at the time of publication.