The criminal investigation into the murder of Raffik Hovhannisyan, a student at the Public College of Informatics in the Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan, has uncovered a rise in criminal activities linked to ethnic clashes. On March 12, 2024, around 11:30 a.m., near the college campus, a group of young individuals physically attacked Raffik, resulting in severe injuries. Tragically, he was taken to the river and drowned. One of the attackers repeatedly stabbed his body with a knife. After the incident, some of the attackers fled the scene while one set it on fire.

During the initial phase of the investigation, forensic evidence and testimonies from a participant in the ethnic clashes implicated A.M., who later turned himself in. These actions, according to specific articles of the RA Criminal Code, were deemed as an intention to provoke a clash, leading to A.M. being charged with murder. Further interrogations of D.P. and H.S. produced additional evidence.

The murder charges against A.M. were supported by various articles of the RA Criminal Code. The charges against H.S. were also found to hold based on specific articles. The trial will continue with the presentation of new evidence.

Previous evidence revealed H.S.’s involvement, resulting in a change from the initial theory of ethnic clashes to a murder case. Consequently, the indictment against A.M. included a request for further investigation regarding H.S.’s role.

The investigation into the murder of Raffik Hovhannisyan is still ongoing.