Officer in video with violence in Armenian army charged

Today, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Armenia has published the names of the officer and two soldiers - heroes of the video "True Face of Our Army" placed on the Internet. According to the statement of the Ministry, Major Sasun Galstyan was arrested and is accused of abusing his official duties. The regular service sergeant and a private have been recognized as victims.

"As a result of undertaken operative actions it was found that the incident with beatings and torture of regular soldiers, filmed and placed on the Internet on September 11, happened this July in the territory of the Nth military unit. A Major of this unit - Sasun Mikaelovich Galstyan - being in the state of alcoholic intoxication beat and mocked at regular-service sergeant Garik Norairovich Arutyunyan and private soldier Bakur Robertovich Egikyan. Under the criminal case, Arutyunyan and Egikyan are recognized as victims. Forensic-medical examinations have been appointed," the MoD's statement says.

The MoD confirms that the filming was made by a mobile phone by another serviceman, whose name is not disclosed yet. The investigation is conducted by the military prosecutor's office of the Republic of Armenia.