The death of a soldier in Armenia has resulted in a criminal case.

Soldier Narek Hakobyan died in Armenia from a gunshot wound. An investigation into the incident has been launched under the article on incitement to suicide.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," human rights activists stated in October 2024 that the proportion of non-combat casualties among Armenian soldiers has risen to 90%. They called on the state to pay more attention to crime and suicide prevention in the army.

On April 14, serviceman Narek Hakobyan died in Armenia. An investigation has been launched to clarify the circumstances of the incident, Novosti-Armenia reports, citing agency press secretary Aram Torosyan.

According to media reports, the incident occurred at a military unit's training ground. 19-year-old Narek Hakobyan received a gunshot wound and died en route to a military hospital, News.am writes.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched an investigation under Part 1 of Article 523 of the Criminal Code (incitement to suicide). Investigators have ordered forensic examinations, the publication reports.

05:41 31.12.2025

Researchers report non-combat losses in Azerbaijani security forces

Irrecoverable losses in Azerbaijani security forces in the past year amounted to 42 people, all of them died in non-combat conditions, the Caspian Institute of Military research.

As a reminder, on April 3, it was also reported that an explosion occurred at a military training ground in the Armavir region, resulting in the death of a 29-year-old contract soldier and the injury of a 39-year-old soldier. A criminal case has been opened under the article on negligence of a military official resulting in death.

The increase in non-combat casualties among military personnel has repeatedly raised questions for the Armenian authorities. The authorities and the ombudsman must address the issue of peacetime military deaths, the parents of fallen soldiers stated in November 2023.

In February 2022, participants in a discussion in Yerevan stated that the increase in non-combat casualties in military units indicates systemic problems in the Armenian army. At the same time, according to them, the authorities refuse to involve civil society activists in addressing the problem.

Two years earlier, in February 2020, human rights activists stated that the principles of a criminal environment and a climate of impunity have taken root in the Armenian armed forces, which contribute to hazing practices.