Parents of Soldier Killed in Karabakh Waiting for Officers to Explain Circumstances Surrounding his Death

The face of military serviceman Karlen Baghdasryan, who was killed at a defense post in a Nagorno-Karabakh military base on Feb. 2, was completely burned, Karlen’s relatives told local daily Joghovurd.

Recall, a criminal case was launched under charges of incitement to commit suicide in connection with the non-combat death.

“Karlen Baghdasaryan was called to [mandatory] military service from the Stepanakert military commissariat. He was in the army for a year and three months — that is, there wasn’t much more left till the end of his service,” reports the paper. Note, male citizens in Armenia are drafted to serve two years in the army when they turn 18.

According to the paper, 20-year-old Karlen’s relatives spoke about his death in fear, saying only what they saw with their own eyes, that his face was burned. They didn’t wish to surmise the reason for the burn. According to preliminary data, Karlen had argued with his fellow servicemen.

“They probably drove him to it, to fighting, cause he wasn’t that kind of guy (to fight)… We are in great pain that he died this way; it was very painful that they brought him home like this — his face was burned,” said a neighbor, who didn’t wish to give a name, explaining that her words may reflect badly on solving the case.

The soldier’s family said they’re waiting for the military officers to arrive and explain what actually happened. “They will come and say — tomorrow or the next day they’ll definitely come and say what the reason was. His parents too heard [this] and are waiting impatiently for when they’ll come and explain what actually happened.”