In the framework of the criminal case investigated in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee charge was pressed against Telman Qalashyan, born in 1967, for murder of 4 persons committed in a way dangerous for the life of many people, murder attempt, illegal procurement and keeping of weapon and ammunition.

In the result of investigatory actions conducted in the framework of the criminal case investigated in the RA IC General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases on particularly grave crime committed on August 1 in the funeral parlor located near the cemetery of the village of Shamiram a number of circumstances significant for the criminal case, including the motive were found.

Thus, pursuant to preliminary investigation data, 4 years ago – in 2013, the resident of Armavir region T. Qalashyan lent 75.000 US dollars on interest rate to Khudoyan brothers living in Russian Federation. According to the agreement, during 2 years the brothers gave Telman Qalashyan 45.000 USD in total, however later they were not able to pay the interest rates because of failure in their trade activity, they could not return the principal amount and informed Telman Qalashyan about it.

Not accepting the arguments Telman Qalashyan periodically turned to the relatives and friends of five brothers, including German Qyaramyan expecting his interference in receiving his amount and interest rates. Once again – on the morning of August 1, 2017 Telman Qalashyan had a telephone conversation with German Qyaramyan demanding his money. The conversation turned into an argument during which they scolded each other.   

Being informed that German Qyaramyan, as well as the relatives and friends of 5 brothers were at the funeral parlor located near the cemetery of the village of Shamiram of Aragatsotn region and took part in a national ritual of Yezidis, T. Qalashyan drove to Shamiram community in a car of “VAZ 21214”. Getting to the mentioned place T. Qalashyan, armed with a firearm, entered the funeral parlor, scolded then fired shots towards numerous people in the parlor at the same time trying to find German Qyaramyan.

In the result of the fired shots 4 persons died, 7 more persons sustained several bodily injuries. Afterwards T. Qalashyan escaped during which he also fired shots towards the person pursuing him to prevent his escape who had eye-witnessed the tragedy at the funeral parlor.

T. Qalashyan who had been under persecution for about 24 days today was found and brought to the investigative body.

On the base of the obtained evidence the investigator pressed charge against him according to the Points 1 and 6 of the Part 2 of the Article 104, the Part 1 of the Article 235 and the Part 1 of the Article 34-104 of RA Criminal Code and interrogated him.

A decision was made to submit a motion to court to reaffirm detention chosen as a pretrial measure against him.

At the same time, taking the data obtained through the criminal case into consideration a writ was sent to Penitentiary Department of the RA Ministry of Justice to take measures to provide the defendant's security at the penitentiary.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.