‘Automatic Weapon was Shoved Inside My Son’s Mouth,’ Says Artak Nazaryan’s Mother

Hasmik Hovhannisyan, mother of rifle platoon commander Artak Nazaryan, who died suddenly while serving during peacetime on Jul. 27, 2010, continued her testimony after the recess at Wednesday’s trial in her son’s case.

As reported by the Epress.am correspondent on the scene, a recess was called after Hovhannisyan became emotional during her testimony. The trial resumed about one and half hours later and Artak’s mother continued her testimony.

She said that the area which is presented as the place where her son killed himself was surrounded by Azerbaijani snipers on all four sides and her son “wasn’t a fool to go and stand there”.

Hovhannisyan also informed the court that she has in her possession a privately taken photo that clearly shows that an automatic weapon was shoved in son’s mouth, breaking his teeth. However, this photo is not among the materials in this case.

In the photograph, Artak is shown in the area beneath the jutting cliff where Hovhannisyan says he was killed. Recall, however, Nazaryan’s body was found not below the cliff but atop it, indicating that it may have been moved.

Judge Samvel Mardanyan only said that the photo will be examined then decided whether it will be attached to the case and become evidence.

During her testimony, Hovhannisyan said they were not provided with the existing photos in the case. Then Artak’s mother again felt unwell, and the judge postponed the court session to Nov. 29 at 12 pm.