Armenia opens investigation into death of fugitive official in Saint Petersburg

Armenian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the death of former State Property Committee official Boris Avakyan, who was found dead at the Armenian consulate in Saint Petersburg on September 24.

Avakyan, 43, reportedly fled from the Kronstadt Court in Saint Petersburg on September 23, where he was to face a hearing on his pre-trial detention. Armenian law enforcement confirmed the case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 162 of the Armenian Criminal Code for “driving someone to suicide”, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

The former official had been accused of evading customs duties. The case was previously suspended after he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence to participate in the war in Ukraine. However, Avakyan never deployed to the conflict zone, prompting the court to seek the resumption of proceedings.

By Vugar Khalilov