Officer Arrested in Connection with Fatal Hit-and-Run of Soldier
Yerevan, August 27, 2026 – A staff officer of a military unit has been arrested in connection with a tragic hit-and-run incident that occurred on the road from Chambarak city to Vahan village. The accident, which took place on August 19, 2026, resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to six others. The preliminary investigation has shed light on the circumstances leading to the unfortunate event.
Unauthorized Punishment Led to Tragic Accident
According to exclusive information obtained by ArmLur.am, the preliminary investigation body has determined why the soldiers were running late in the evening on the road from Chambarak to Vahan village. It was revealed that the soldiers were talking loudly in the military unit’s dining hall, and the staff officer of the battalion decided to punish them by making them run on the road between Chambarak and Vahan.
Law enforcement officials have established that this form of punishment or penalty imposed by the battalion staff officer is not stipulated in the army regulations. Furthermore, by subjecting the soldiers to such a punishment, the staff officer failed to ensure their safety, which ultimately led to the tragic accident involving seven soldiers. Sadly, one soldier’s life could not be saved.
Details of the Incident and Victims
The incident occurred on August 19, 2026, at approximately 9:20 PM, when a “Gaz-53” truck, without license plates, struck seven soldiers on the road from Chambarak city to Vahan village. The deceased soldier has been identified as S. Vardanyan, born in 2007, from Abovyan.
The injured soldiers were identified as J. H. (born in 2007), A. S. (born in 2007, a resident of Yerevan), S. A. (born in 2007, a resident of Syunik region), S. E. (born in 2007, a resident of Kotayk region), G. M. (born in 2008), and G. B. (born in 2008).
Driver Arrested, Vehicle Unsuitable for Operation
Immediately after the incident, the driver of the truck, Vahan Chagharyan, a resident of Vahan village, was arrested. Law enforcement officials discovered that the “Gaz-53” vehicle was unsuitable for operation, and the driver did not even possess a driving license.
Officer Faces Potential Detention
Law enforcement authorities, having arrested the staff officer of the military unit, do not rule out submitting a motion to the court for his detention. The investigation is ongoing to determine all the circumstances surrounding the incident and to bring all responsible parties to justice.
This tragic event highlights critical issues regarding military discipline, the safety of soldiers, and adherence to established regulations within the armed forces.
