Two arrested in murder of 19-year-old soldier in Armenia

Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder of 19-year-old contract serviceman Aram Khachatryan in the city of Sevan, Armenia. The suspects, identified by their initials N.M. and A.M., have been remanded in custody for a period of one month as the investigation continues.

The Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the country's Prosecutor General's Office, reports that a criminal case has been initiated under Article 155, Part 1 of the Armenian Criminal Code, which pertains to intentional homicide. The incident occurred on February 21, shortly after the soldier had completed his shift and traveled to Sevan for reasons that remain under investigation.

Aram Khachatryan was a participant in the "Defender of the Fatherland" program. He was conscripted into the Armenian Armed Forces in 2025 and, after completing six months of mandatory service, signed a contract to continue his duties at a military unit located near his home village. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding non-combat deaths and violent crime within the Armenian military infrastructure, which has faced increasing scrutiny over safety and discipline in recent years.