On January 5, 2025, the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction granted the investigator’s petition, detaining Lieutenant General Tiran Khachatryan for two months. Khachatryan is accused of negligence in fulfilling his official duties during the 44-day war in 2020, which, according to the Armenian Investigative Committee, led to severe consequences.
The investigation alleges that, as the commander of the southern group, Khachatryan failed to establish necessary management structures and implement measures critical to combat operations. This negligence allegedly contributed to breaches in defensive positions and the loss of territory.
During the court session, Khachatryan’s defense team argued that the charges were unfounded and that the reasons for detention were baseless. They emphasized that Khachatryan had fully cooperated with the investigation over the past four years, providing comprehensive testimony and never attempting to obstruct the proceedings. The defense proposed alternative measures, such as bail or house arrest, arguing that detention was unnecessary and based solely on an abstract risk of obstruction, which they deemed unsubstantiated.
Khachatryan will serve his detention at the Vardashen penitentiary. His lawyers have announced plans to appeal the court’s decision in the Court of Appeals.
According to the Investigative Committee, Khachatryan is being prosecuted under Article 376, Part 3 of the Armenian Criminal Code, which pertains to negligence in fulfilling official duties.
Notice:
The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict that has entered into legal force.
