Through preliminary investigation conducted within the criminal proceeding investigated in the Division for Investigation of Grave Crimes of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee, as well as operational-intelligence measures taken by the officers of the RA National Security Service, factual data were obtained on the allegation that the murder of S.V., committed on April 30, 2023, near the entrance of a building on Myasnikyan Avenue in Yerevan, was commissioned by A.A., the former head of Artashat community and a former member of parliament.

Particularly, as a result of comprehensive evidentiary and procedural planned actions it was found out that A.A., suspecting his wife, E.Ts., of having a personal relationship with S.V., a pastor and member of the religious organization “Christians of Evangelical Faith,” as well as of giving him large sums of money, decided, with the motive of revenge, to deprive S.V. of life. However, he decided to carry out his criminal intent not personally, but through his trusted associate, G.H., his security officer, who was financially and personally dependent on him.

Thereafter, A.A., using his influence over G.H., as well as the latter’s loyalty to him and willingness to comply with his instructions, induced him, by giving him an assignment, to deprive S.V. of life.

Taking the assignment given by A.A. as an order, on April 30, 2023 G.H. killed S.V. with a firearm in front of a residential building located at 2 Myasnikyan Street in Yerevan.

In the course of the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding, based on the investigator’s motion, by the supervising prosecutor’s decision, public criminal prosecution was initiated against A.A. according to the Point 11 of the Part 2 of the Article 46-155 of RA Criminal Code. 

On the base of the investigator’s decision, on August 8, 2026 A.A. was arrested by the officers of the RA NSS, to bring him before court in order to apply detention as a pretrial measure against him.

It should be noted that public criminal prosecution was initiated against G.H. according to the Part 1 of the Article 155 and the Part 1 of the Article 335 of RA Criminal Code for Illegally depriving S.V. of life. In April, 2024 the criminal proceeding with the bill of indictment was referred to court. 

Preliminary investigation is ongoing, urgent investigative and procedural actions are conducted to find out all circumstances of the case.