Ex-commander of Armenian troops faces arrest over wartime negligence

The commander of the 18th Infantry Division of the Armenian occupation troops in Karabakh, Major General Karen Arustamyan, has been put on the wanted list by the authorities.

A criminal case has been opened against him under Article 376 of Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Armenia for negligent military service, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

The 18th Mountain Rifle Division operated in the southern direction of the front.

Arustamyan faces accusations of negligence during wartime service, specifically related to incidents that occurred during the 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. His division, stationed in the southern direction of the front, was involved in several significant military engagements during the conflict.

The criminal case against Arustamyan is tied to a particularly devastating event in which one of his division’s units was surrounded by enemy forces, resulting in substantial casualties. Following the tragedy, the parents of the fallen Armenian soldiers held Arustamyan responsible, accusing him of failing to properly coordinate his forces and manage the situation, which ultimately led to the heavy losses.

In late 2024, a court in Armenia issued an arrest warrant for Arustamyan in absentia, as he was not present to face the charges. The search for the former military commander continues, with authorities now seeking his capture and prosecution.

By Vafa Guliyeva