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RFE: Armenian Military Reports Another Deadly Shooting

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  • RFE: Armenian Military Reports Another Deadly Shooting

    ARMENIAN MILITARY REPORTS ANOTHER DEADLY SHOOTING

    Armenia -- Soldiers hold exercises, undated.

    http://www.armenialiberty.org/content/article/2136552.html
    24.08.2010

    The Armenian military confirmed on Tuesday reports of yet another
    non-combat shooting within its ranks that left one soldier dead.

    In a written statement, Armenia's Defense Ministry said Sergeant
    Arsen Chobanian, 26, was shot dead by a fellow serviceman last
    week at an army outpost guarding an unspecified section of the
    Armenian-Azerbaijani border. It said the suspected shooter, Harutiun
    Vartanian, was arrested and charged with premeditated murder.

    "A criminal investigation into the case is continuing," the statement
    added. It gave no further details, saying only that the two soldiers
    are natives of the northeastern Tavush region bordering western
    Azerbaijan.

    According to Armenian media reports they served in an army corps
    stationed in Tavush on a contractual basis.

    The military unit was already rocked late last month by the mysterious
    shooting of Lieutenant Artak Nazarian. His relatives believe that
    the 30-year-old was killed by fellow servicemen.

    Military investigators insist, however, that Nazarian committed
    suicide after being badly ill-treated by a deputy commander of his
    battalion and three soldiers. All four men are now under arrest
    pending investigation.

    Nazarian was found dead the day before another officer and five
    soldiers serving at an army unit in Nagorno-Karabakh were shot dead
    in still unclear circumstances. Military investigators say one of
    those soldiers went on a shooting spree and killed himself after a
    bitter dispute with the officer.

    The deadly incidents cast a renewed spotlight on chronic abuse,
    corruption and mismanagement within Armenia's Armed Forces. Eight
    senior and mid-level officers were dismissed and more than a dozen
    others demoted as a result.

    Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian discussed the deaths at an emergency
    meeting with the top army brass and senior Defense Ministry officials
    earlier this month. He ordered them to "meticulously analyze what
    happened" and "take steps to strengthen discipline in the troops."




    From: A. Papazian
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