Epress.am News from Armenia
Army conscript David Khachatryan, accused of the May. 15, 2013 murder of fellow conscript Lyuks Stepanyan in a military unit in the town of Noyemberyan, does not admit his guilt, Khachatryan’s attorney, Yerem Sargsyan, informed Epress.am today. The attorney said his client is being charged with premeditated murder; however, Khachatryan claims he didn’t intend to kill Stepanyan: it was an accident.
Khachatryan is currently in the custody of military police in Vanadzor, and his family is not allowed to see him. His attorney said because of this he has to make a motion to the court; however, Sargsyan refused to discuss his future actions at this time, as he is still becoming acquainted with the investigation materials. The actions of the defense will be known in 10 days.
Recall, after Lyuks Stepanyan’s death, his parents decided to bring the coffin with the young boy’s body to Yerevan, to protest outside the Armenian government building, but they were met with RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan and RA Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan on the road from Sevan to Yerevan, near the border of Gegharkunik marz (province). The defense minister convinced the parents to take the body back to Martuni and bury him. The minister mentioned that all those responsible will be severely punished. On the same day in Yerevan, a group of activists protested outside the government building.