Investigators name motive for killing three conscripts in Armenia

The commander of a combat post threatened the conscript soldier to report some compromising information to his relatives, if he refuses to shot three his fellow servicemen dead, who had learned about the non-stature relations of the soldier with his commander, investigators have suggested. The conscript has been charged with murder; and the commander – with incitement to murder and sexual violence, the Armenia's Investigating Committee (IC) has informed today.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night of August 19, 2021, at a combat position located in the south-east of Armenia, the bodies of three soldiers with gunshot wounds were found. Their colleague, a conscript, is suspected of committing the murders.

According to investigators, one of the conscripts borrowed money from the commander of the combat post; and the latter demanded to have it back in a few days; and when the soldier could not return the money on due date, the commander demanded a several times higher sum, the Armenia's IC has reported today . In the barracks, the commander forced the conscript into sexual relations. This was seen by one of soldiers, who told about it to his two colleagues, who began mocking the conscript. The commander threatened the debtor that he would tell his parents about their relations, if he didn't kill his colleagues. At night on August 19, the conscript shot dead his three sleeping colleagues from a submachine gun and left the barracks, the "News.Am" has reported with reference to the IC.

Both militaries are under arrest. The conscript is charged with murder; his commander – with incitement to murder and sexual violence, the IC has informed.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 22, 2022 at 09:38 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.