Slain Yerevan cop to receive posthumous state award, says PM

Slain Yerevan cop to receive posthumous state award, says PM

 17:22,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has offered condolences to the family and friends of Tigran Arakelyan, the 38-year-old Yerevan police officer who was gunned down on-duty early morning October 16.

“I offer my condolences to the family, friends and relatives of police officer Senior Tigran Arakelyan who died today. The police officers’ protection in Armenia must increase in a way so it increases not only and not as much the officers’ protection level but the citizens’ protection level.

Tigran Arakelyan will be awarded with a state award for selfless service, while the criminals will receive their deserved punishment,” the PM said on Facebook.

Arakelyan and his partner were patrolling the city when around 04:30 they saw two young men who ran away upon seeing the police cruiser. The officers eventually apprehended the suspects in the Azatutyun Avenue, but the latter resisted arrest and one of them got hold of the officer’s firearm and fired on Tigran Arakelyan. Arakelyan succumbed to his injuries. His partner was battered by the suspects but survived.

The two suspects were later apprehended. Police said the suspects had earlier committed a robbery.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan