Armenian authorities solve 27-year-old murder of deputy defense minister

The murder of Armenia’s former Deputy Defence Minister Vaghram Khorkhoruni, committed nearly three decades ago, has been solved, the country’s Investigative Committee announced.

Three individuals have been formally charged in connection with the case, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

The investigation identified a man referred to as S.A. as the organiser and one of the accomplices in the murder. Authorities allege that S.A. acted out of financial motives, offering $10,000 and $15,000 to his two co-conspirators to carry out the killing.

The crime took place on December 10, 1998, when Khorkhoruni was shot near the entrance to his apartment building. S.A. has reportedly been detained.

Following the incident, a criminal case was opened and a joint operational-investigative team composed of officers from Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Security was formed. Despite extensive efforts at the time, the case remained unsolved for 27 years.

By Sabina Mammadli