YEREVAN. - The Second garrison unit of Armenia’s General Military Investigative Department  has opened a criminal case into Azerbaijan’s killing of Armenian soldier, Private Artyom Varderesyan.   

The case has been initiated on charges of murder based on national, racial or religious hatred, or religious fanaticism.

Artyom Varderesyan was from Katnajur village of Armenia’s Lori province. He had two sisters and was the only son in the family. Artyom was to complete his military service in three months.  

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army serviceman Artyom Varderesyan, 20, sustained fatal gunshot wound at 2:55 pm today as a result of the adversary’s firing in the direction of one of the northeastern protection areas of the NKR Defense Army unit, Karabakh Defense Army press-service reports.

Investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances of the incident.