Investigators probe to what extent high treason cases affected outcome of 2020 war

Multiple criminal investigations pertaining to the 44-Day War of 2020 are ongoing, the Chairman of the Committee of Investigations Artur Poghosyan told lawmakers. 

“We have multiple criminal proceedings regarding the 44-Day War,” he said when asked to comment by MP Seyran Ohanyan from the Hayastan faction. “Ranging from negligence, abuse of power, desertion, failure to fulfil an order and other instances. We have mostly separated these proceedings in several directions, from high-ranking officers to soldiers. We have assessed every action in terms of the consequence,” Poghosyan said.

In several proceedings, the apparent crimes committed by high-ranking officers and commanders of the military have been confirmed, he said.

“In our assessment, inaction or that very action led to failure in that direction. We have indictments where investigators assess that as a result of the actions of a high-ranking military official not only did the counter-offensive fail, but also the entire defensive chain with concrete consequences. We have sufficient evidence in this direction,” he said.

Many indictments have been sent to court. “For example, we have criminal proceedings pertaining to high treason. We have to assess to what extent ultimately the high treason committed by the given individual affected the specific direction in terms of consequence."

The investigations are classified and other details can’t be revealed, the top investigator said.