Physical evidence examined in court in the case of the Azat village barracks fire
During today’s regular court session on the case of the military barracks fire in Azat village of the Gegharkunik region, an examination of physical evidence was conducted. A gasoline container, which according to the case materials is related to the causes of death of the 15 servicemen, as well as other containers filled with diesel fuel and additional evidence, were presented to the court.
After examining them, Norayr Norikyan, the lawyer and representative of the victims’ legal successors, stated that these findings reinforced his previous conviction. According to him, gasoline and diesel fuel were supplied to the relevant unit of the armed forces in “Byuregh” branded water containers, which, according to the criminal proceedings being examined in court, became one of the causes of the tragedy. He also noted that no legal assessment has yet been given to the conditions of transportation, storage, and safety oversight of the fuel.
The lawyer added that it is incomprehensible how the transportation of gasoline and diesel fuel in the armed forces could be carried out in such containers, especially plastic bottles. In his assessment, there are signs of not only negligence but also criminal inaction.
According to Norikyan, it is also noteworthy that some clothing items taken from the scene were not burned, while scissor-cut marks were noticed on others, the circumstances of which have not yet been clarified.
The next court session is scheduled for February 20, during which the defendants are expected to be heard.
It should be noted that only one verdict has been issued in this case so far: Radik Matevosyan, the duty officer of the company, has been sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment.
