YEREVAN (JAM News) — Since the beginning of the year, 31 cases of military deaths have been recorded in the Armenian army, 27 of which occurred in non-combat conditions. The Ministry of Defense reported the latest incident last week: “The body of a soldier with a gunshot wound was found at the guard post of an N military unit.” The Investigative Committee announced that “a criminal case has been initiated under the article of incitement to suicide.”
Nearly 70 percent of deaths in the Armenian Armed Forces over the past three years have occurred in peacetime, according to human rights activist Nazeli Movsesyan, who deals with army-related issues. In her opinion, despite the authorities’ periodic claims of reforms, many problems still persist within the army.
From January to August 2024, six cases of incitement to suicide were reported. During the same period last year, the Ministry of Defense reported 10 such cases.
“A significant portion of non-combat deaths among military personnel are suicides and murders,” says human rights activist Nazeli Movsesyan.
Movsesyan also points out numerous issues arising during training camps: “This year, one reservist died [due to a fire that broke out in the barracks under unknown circumstances]. In 2023, five died, four of them as a result of ceasefire violations.“
The human rights activist claims that investigations into military deaths are not always conducted transparently and often fail to produce results.
