The Murder of Former Defense Minister of Armenia Vahram Khorkhoruni Solved

July 18, 2025, verelq.am writes:

“The Investigative Committee of Armenia has announced the resolution of the murder of former Defense Minister Vahram Khorkhoruni, which took place on December 10, 1998. Following a large-scale investigation and operational surveillance efforts carried out in cooperation with the National Security Service, authorities identified S.A. as the individual who organized and coordinated the crime for personal gain. He reportedly involved two residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, G.N. and A.A., as accomplices.

According to the investigation, S.A. promised his co-conspirators rewards of $10,000 and $15,000, respectively. He obtained a Makarov pistol, attached a homemade suppressor, and modified the cartridges to reduce the sound of gunfire.

On December 9, 1998, the group arrived in Yerevan. In the early morning hours of December 10, S.A. and A.A. waited near Khorkhoruni’s residence and fired five shots - three to the face and two to the chest and back. Khorkhoruni died on the spot. The assailants fled the scene.

Based on the collected evidence, a criminal case has been launched against S.A. under Article 155, Part 2, Clause 10 (murder for profit) and Article 335, Part 1 (illegal circulation of weapons) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. He has been taken into custody.

At the instruction of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, additional high-profile murder cases that once caused widespread public concern are also being investigated. The results will be announced at a later date.”

According to MediaNews, the individual suspected of organizing Khorkhoruni’s murder - identified as S.A. - is Sasun Arshakyan, a former head of security guard for Samvel Babayan.