Yerevan Municipality Denies Crocodile Attack on MES Employee
Yerevan, July 9, 2026 – The Yerevan City Hall has officially clarified reports circulating in the media regarding an alleged crocodile attack on an employee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) during the transfer of animals from Gagik Tsarukyan’s reception house. The municipality stated that the information about the crocodile ‘mauling’ or ‘attacking’ the employee is inaccurate.
According to the statement provided to “Pastinfo” by the Yerevan City Hall, the crocodile, which was being transferred from Gagik Tsarukyan’s residence, merely ‘moved and touched’ the employee’s eyebrow. “No serious injury was sustained by the employee, and there was no need for stitches. The wound was simply secured with a bandage, and the employee left,” the statement elaborated. “As for the information about the employee being mauled or attacked by the crocodile, it does not correspond to reality.”
Background of the Incident
The clarification comes after “Hraparak” newspaper reported on July 8 that investigators, accompanied by MES employees, had visited Tsarukyan’s home to transfer crocodiles to the Zoological Garden. The report claimed that one of the predators, “unable to tolerate” the situation, attempted to “maul” one of the MES employees who approached it. Although the employee reportedly “slipped away from the animal’s clutches,” the crocodile managed to bite him, leading to his transportation to the hospital by ambulance.
This incident is part of a broader series of events involving the seizure and transfer of animals from Gagik Tsarukyan’s property. Earlier reports indicated that one of the lions transferred from Tsarukyan’s reception house had not woken up after being sedated. This raised concerns among animal welfare activists and the public, leading to calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances of the animals’ transfer and their well-being.
Ongoing Investigations and Public Reaction
The Investigative Committee has not initiated proceedings regarding the death of the confiscated lion. Furthermore, specialists are reportedly being denied access to feed the animals remaining on Gagik Tsarukyan’s property, which has been sealed off. These developments have fueled public debate and scrutiny over the handling of the animals and the transparency of the ongoing processes.
Civil society organizations have expressed distrust in the Yerevan Zoo’s explanations regarding the lion’s death and are demanding an independent investigation. Questions have also been raised by lawyers regarding the dosage of sedatives administered to the animals and whether they were weighed before injection, highlighting concerns about potential negligence or improper procedures during the transfer.
The current situation underscores the complexities and public sensitivity surrounding legal proceedings involving prominent figures, particularly when they intersect with animal welfare issues. The Yerevan City Hall’s denial aims to mitigate rising concerns and clarify the facts surrounding the alleged crocodile attack, while broader questions about the welfare of the confiscated animals and the transparency of the process remain under public scrutiny.
The incident with the crocodile and the lion is part of a larger legal and political context involving Gagik Tsarukyan, a prominent Armenian businessman and politician. Various reports from “Pastinfo” and other media outlets have covered related events, including legal proceedings against Tsarukyan, discussions about constitutional reforms, and other political and economic developments in Armenia.
The Yerevan City Hall continues to monitor the situation and has pledged to provide further updates as they become available. The public awaits more information regarding the fate of the animals and the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
Source: https://pastinfo.am/hy/news/2026/07/09/5784586596/1974394
