YEREVAN. – Former governor of Syunik Region Suren Khachatryan said the only thing on his mind is how to prove innocence of his son.

“It was an armed assault. He was defending himself. I do not care about the post. I am not recognized for having this post. I will remain the soldier of my state and will continue doing everything for Syunik Region,” Khachatryan told Henaran.am correspondent.

As informed earlier, shots were fired nearby Suren Khachatryan’s home in Goris city, on June 2 at around 12:10am, as a result of which one person was killed and two others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to Goris hospital. The person who died was Avo Budaghyan, the former Goris mayoral candidate. The wounded are Budaghyan’s brother Artak, and Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of Khachatryan. Subsequently, the wounded were transferred to capital city Yerevan.

A criminal case is launched on charges of murder and illegal carrying, possession, and use of arms and ammunition, and the Military Prosecutor’s Office is conducting the investigation.

Two people are arrested in connection with this incident. One of them is the Syunik regional governor’s son, Tigran Khachatryan, 19, and the other is the governor’s bodyguard, Zarzand Nikoghosyan.   

Pursuant to his petition, Suren Khachatryan was relieved of his duties as Governor of Syunik Region.