2023 barracks fire: On-duty serviceman sentenced to three years for failing to prevent deadly accident
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A former member of the Armenian armed forces has been found guilty of dereliction of duty and involuntary manslaughter, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for his role in the deadly 2023 barracks fire that left 15 soldiers dead and three others critically injured.
Junior Sergeant R.M., the company duty officer at the time of the incident, failed to prevent the "dangerous actions" of another officer, as he had left the barracks during his watch to speak on his mobile phone, according to the indictment.
Investigators earlier said that the fire broke out accidentally when an officer attempted to ignite a heater using gasoline in a military barracks in the village of Azat.
According to the indictment, R.M.'s negligence led to the deaths of his fellow servicemen. Since the junior sergeant was the on-duty serviceman that night, he was supposed to supervise the other servicemen on his watch.
The Court of General Jurisdiction of Gegharkunik Province found the Junior Sergeant guilty of “Violation of Internal Service Rules Negligently Causing Death.”
Meanwhile, the officer who allegedly attempted to ignite the heater is facing aggravated involuntary manslaughter charges under Paragraph 4 of Article 532 (Violation of the rules for handling weapons, ammunition, or other military property, which through negligence caused the death of two or more persons). Judicial proceedings are ongoing in that case.