Investigation says Armenian businessman stabbed robbers in self-defense

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Armenian businessman Gagik Sargsyan having killed three armed robbers, acted lawfully, Russia’s Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said.

“The present data prove that Sargsyan acted in the limits of necessary defense against criminal attack of the four armed robbers,” Interfax quoted Markin as saying.

He noted that Sargsyan is not viewed as a suspect in criminal case.

“Final legal assessment will be issued following a thorough investigation,” Markin said.

“Steps are taken aimed at arresting the fourth robbery accomplice, with measures taken to defend Sargsyan and his family members,” Committee spokesman said, adding that “grounds for bringing Sargsyan to justice will remain unchanged.”

“He is both a witness and a victim,” Markin said.

Earlier, the Union of Armenians of Russia disseminated a statement saying that “a tragic incident happened on April 7, 2012; businessman Gagik Sargsyan was assaulted in his house in Bogoroditsk town in Tula region.”

“Four robbers (who later appeared to have previous criminal records) armed with a gun, knives and baseball bat, attacked the house and beat Sargsyan and his family, wife and four junior kids including a one-year-old infant. In an attempt to protect his family, Sargsyan grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the assaulters; 3 of four died on the spot,” the statement said.

Following the April 7 incident, a criminal case is filed against Sargsyan, who is charged of homicide of two and more persons.