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The 8th Garrison Investigation Division of the Military Criminal Cases Department of the RA Investigative Committee has completed the preliminary investigation of the criminal case launched on the deadly car crash involving “Ural” vehicle which claimed the life of Armenian serviceman Vardan Matevosyan. Panoarama.am reports referring to the Press Service of Armenia’s Investigative Committee.

To note at about 11:00 April 8, 2016 an “Ural” vehicle belonging to one of the military units of the RA Defence Ministry lost control en route to Armash Village of Ararat Province and fell into a gorge from 200 meters.

The vehicle was transporting 11 servicemen.  Contract soldier Vardan Matevosyan died on the spot and 6 others were taken to Ararat Medical Centre having sustained various injuries of different degrees. The other four servicemen did not suffer grave injuries.

The 8th Garrison Investigation Division of the Military Criminal Cases Department of the RA Investigative Committee launched a criminal case regarding the incident under the requirements of Part 2 of Article 377 of the RA Criminal Code (negligent violation of driving or vehicle operation rules which resulted in death of a person.)

The source reports that as a result of the taken investigative actions aimed at ensuring comprehensive, objective and complete probing it has been revealed that the vehicle had faults in its braking system and the competent people had been aware of it previously.

Moreover it has been revealed that one of the military officials Mayor G. Gevorgyan abused his power by failing to equip it with the necessary seats and the duty staff was transported from the military posts to the military unit in an overloaded trunk.

Taking into account all the acquired evidence A. Azizyan, K.Vahanyan and H.Hovhannisyan who were in charge of the technical supervision were charged under Part 2 of Article 377 of the RA Criminal Code (negligent violation of driving or vehicle operation rules which resulted in death of a person.) G. Gevorgyan has been charged under Part 1 of Article 375 of the RA Criminal Code (abuse of power in case it cost significant damage.)

The criminal case with an indictment has been sent to the prosecutor in charge of the supervision over the legality of the preliminary investigation.