Ex-minister’s son charged for negligent command during war

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Prosecutor General has submitted to court a criminal case involving commanders of a military unit and battalions from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Among the accused is Artur Ohanyan, son of former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, who faces charges of negligent behavior during martial law in connection with the failed counteroffensive at the Lele-Tepe height.

According to the Investigative Committee, Colonel A.O., commander of a military unit, showed negligent attitude toward his duties between October 6 and 7, 2020. He failed to properly execute an order from the Defense Army commander to launch an offensive toward Horadiz’s western ridge and restore the broken front line, violating military regulations during preparations and the counterattack.

Another battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel G.A., assigned to the same October 7 counterattack, allegedly refused to continue the mission under the pretext of calculating equipment losses. He diverted the unit from its assigned route, rejected communication with superior command, and ordered a full retreat without authorization.

Lieutenant Colonel G.M., also involved in the same operation, reportedly abandoned the mission after his tank overturned in an anti-tank ditch. Although he and his crew were unharmed, he left them with infantry and remained inactive, deliberately avoiding further participation and refusing to coordinate the unit’s actions.

The Prosecutor General has filed public criminal charges against A.O. under Article 376(3) of the Criminal Code (negligent attitude during martial law), and against G.A. and G.M. under Article 364(3) (refusal to perform military duties during martial law).

The indictment has been confirmed, and the case materials submitted to the competent court.

Lele Tepe, known in Armenian as Varazatumb, had been under Artsakh’s control since February 12, 1994. It was captured by Azerbaijani forces during the April 2016 clashes.