YEREVAN. – A criminal case is opened in connection with the hunting of a Bezoar Goat in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Region, and there are several suspects, the Police sources have told Armenian News-NEWS.am. 

The criminal case is launched on charges of completely banned hunting of an animal.

The case was filed against Vachagan Gharakhanyan, who said he was the one that shot and killed the animal. After hunting the Bezoar Goat, he and his accomplices wished to throw a feast. But rumors were spread, and therefore they were unable to take the animal with them and have a feast.     

According to our information, aside from Gharakhanyan, Vahan Saghatelyan, Arayik Muradyan, former Mayor Sirekan Babayan of Yeghegnadzor city, and serving Deputy Mayor Vasil Aslanyan of Vayk city were in the same vehicle.      

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, a wounded Bezoar Goat was found near Areni village of Vayots Dzor Region on November 21. According to Armenian News-NEWS.am sources, environmentalists and representatives of relevant agencies inspected the site and noticed a wounded animal on the road leading to the village. The animal had gunshot wounds. The group of suspects was determined. To note, the Bezoar Goat is included in the Red Book of Endangered Species and its hunting is a criminal offense.