Kostanian: Syunik governor is a witness in the case

Military Prosecutor of Armenia Gevorg Kostanian presented today the details of the recent incident near the house of Syunik governor, saying that regardless of the posts of the officials involved in the case, the investigative group has not been and will not be subjected to political pressure.

The investigative group of the Military Prosecutor’s Office has already seized the video cameras which allow forming a clear idea of what happened at midnight of June 2. In Kostanian’s words, an attack was made on the house of Syunik governor Suren Khachatrian.

Four men – the governor’s son, his bodyguard, and two brothers Budaghians – were involved in the shootout. Avetik Budaghian was killed, and his brother Artak Budaghian was wounded and taken to hospital. The son of the Syunuk governor, Tigran Khachatrian, and the governor’s bodyguard Zarzand Nikoghosian were arrested on suspicion of committing the murder and illegal carrying arms. Gevorg Kostanian did not say when the preliminary investigation will end. The case is now at the examination stage when witnesses and suspects are questioned and material evidence is collected. Kostanian said the details of the investigation cannot be released, but videos show that the Syunik regional governor was not present during the shootout.

The Syunik governor is a witness in the case. As regards his son, Tigran Khachatrian dismissed charges against him, even though, according to G. Kostanian, that does alter the situation from the viewpoint of preliminary investigation.
Investigators have not yet questioned Artak Budaghian. He is currently in an intensive care unit. Doctors say he is in grave but stable condition.

A doctor of the military hospital said that Artak Budaghian will be transferred to a general ward in 2-3 days. He was not informed about his brother’s death. When he starts to recover, he will be informed about Avetik Budaghian’s death and then questioned, according to ArmNews television channel.