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SOLDIER WHO CONTRACTED CHICKEN POX WAS FORCED TO RUN 10 KMS ON MILITARY BASE, SAYS FAMILY
epress.am
01.12.2012
On Dec. 30, Hayk Khachatryan, who was serving his mandatory two-year
term in the army, died. The soldier's grandmother, Aida Avagyan,
has written an open letter (published by local news outlet A1+) in
which she ponders the cause of death and asks: "What is the reason
that in the 21st century chicken pox became the cause of death for
an 18-year-old soldier?"
In the letter, Avagyan outlines the events leading to her grandson's
death, who was called to service on Jun. 1, 2011. Hayk was an excellent
serviceman, she writes; however, on the morning of Dec. 29, 2011,
Hayk begun to experience sharp pain in his abdomen area, followed
by epileptic seizures. Doctors said he had appendicitis and should
remain in hospital, under their supervision, so if necessary, he can
undergo surgery. According to Avagyan, it was already apparent that
Hayk had contracted the chicken pox virus.
"His father's insistence that he be moved to the hospital for
infectious diseases was refused with the reasoning that first the
appendicitis must be treated then [doctors] could work on treating
the chicken pox," Avagyan writes.
Nevertheless, Avagyan continues, after his father continued insistence
and threats, Hayk was moved to Yerevan's Nork-Marash Infectious
Diseases Hospital where it was confirmed that he had chicken pox,
which was in a very neglected and complex condition.
"According to the doctor, nearly all of Hayk's internal organs were
damaged including his brain, and there was practically no hope to
save his life. And the real reason for the abdomen pains and recent
epileptic seizures became clear. Let us also note that during
conversations with his son, his father found out that when Hayk
complained about his health on the base, he was accused of feigning
illness and forced to run 10 kms.
"On the night of Dec. 30, at 11:40 pm, Hayk died, leaving a series
of unanswered questions," Avagyan concludes in the letter.
According to Meri Sargsyan, head of the media and public relations
division at the RA Ministry of Defense's investigative service, a
case has been launched under charges of RA Criminal Code Article 376
Section 2 ("negligent service that caused grave consequences"). No
arrests have yet been made.
epress.am
01.12.2012
On Dec. 30, Hayk Khachatryan, who was serving his mandatory two-year
term in the army, died. The soldier's grandmother, Aida Avagyan,
has written an open letter (published by local news outlet A1+) in
which she ponders the cause of death and asks: "What is the reason
that in the 21st century chicken pox became the cause of death for
an 18-year-old soldier?"
In the letter, Avagyan outlines the events leading to her grandson's
death, who was called to service on Jun. 1, 2011. Hayk was an excellent
serviceman, she writes; however, on the morning of Dec. 29, 2011,
Hayk begun to experience sharp pain in his abdomen area, followed
by epileptic seizures. Doctors said he had appendicitis and should
remain in hospital, under their supervision, so if necessary, he can
undergo surgery. According to Avagyan, it was already apparent that
Hayk had contracted the chicken pox virus.
"His father's insistence that he be moved to the hospital for
infectious diseases was refused with the reasoning that first the
appendicitis must be treated then [doctors] could work on treating
the chicken pox," Avagyan writes.
Nevertheless, Avagyan continues, after his father continued insistence
and threats, Hayk was moved to Yerevan's Nork-Marash Infectious
Diseases Hospital where it was confirmed that he had chicken pox,
which was in a very neglected and complex condition.
"According to the doctor, nearly all of Hayk's internal organs were
damaged including his brain, and there was practically no hope to
save his life. And the real reason for the abdomen pains and recent
epileptic seizures became clear. Let us also note that during
conversations with his son, his father found out that when Hayk
complained about his health on the base, he was accused of feigning
illness and forced to run 10 kms.
"On the night of Dec. 30, at 11:40 pm, Hayk died, leaving a series
of unanswered questions," Avagyan concludes in the letter.
According to Meri Sargsyan, head of the media and public relations
division at the RA Ministry of Defense's investigative service, a
case has been launched under charges of RA Criminal Code Article 376
Section 2 ("negligent service that caused grave consequences"). No
arrests have yet been made.