Criminal Case Launched In Connection With Shots Heard In Armenian MP

CRIMINAL CASE LAUNCHED IN CONNECTION WITH SHOTS HEARD IN ARMENIAN MP’S RESTAURANT

epress.am
08.24.2011

As directed by General Prosecutor of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan, a
criminal case was initiated today in connection with the incident on
the night of Aug. 14 in the restaurant complex “Harsnaqar,” reports
RFE/RL’s Armenian service, citing the press service of the RA General
Prosecutor’s Office.

Recall, as a result of shots heard in Harsnaqar on the night of Aug.

14, two people were hospitalized. Media reported that during a wedding
celebration, an altercation took place which was intercepted by Ruben
Hayrapetyan’s bodyguard by the nickname of Yezidi Ashot. Local press
reported that he shot and injured 2 people, one of whom was Norik
Atoyan, 33, the bodyguard of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s
brother Sashik Sargsyan.

Earlier today, during a meeting with reporters, Hovsepyan said that
he learned about the incident from the press and instructed his staff
to check whether a criminal case had been launched or not.

“In any case, if there is an incident, a crime, they are preceded
by certain checks,” he said, replying to RFE/RL Armenian service’s
question as to why a criminal case hadn’t been launched until now.

To an observation by reporters that perhaps the lack of initiating
a criminal case was due to the fact that the shots were heard in a
restaurant owned by ruling party MP and prominent businessman Ruben
Hayrapetyan, Aghvan Hovsepyan only said that he instructed his staff
to look into the incident.

From: Baghdasarian