62-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Vandalizing War Hero Murals in Yerevan

A woman in Yerevan has been arrested after being caught on surveillance video vandalizing murals of Armenian war heroes. The murals, which honor soldiers who fought in the 44-day Nagorno-Karabakh war, were defaced on the streets of Armenia’s capital. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the arrest of 62-year-old Hasmik G., a resident of Yerevan, on suspicion of hooliganism.
The surveillance footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows the woman painting over the images of three Armenian war heroes. The murals, which bear the message "Remember our heroes," were created to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the Azerbaijani invasion. The act of vandalism, which also covered the commemorative text, has drawn public outrage.
Narek Sargsyan, the press secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reported that Hasmik G. was arrested after authorities identified her through the video footage. She now faces charges under Article 297 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which addresses hooliganism. This crime is defined as showing disrespect for society by disturbing the public peace or disregarding legal and moral norms.
If convicted, Hasmik G. could face penalties ranging from a fine to community service or even imprisonment. According to Article 297, the punishment for hooliganism can include a fine up to 20 times the minimum wage, 80 to 150 hours of public work, restriction of freedom for up to two years, or imprisonment for up to two years. The severity of the sentence will depend on the court’s ruling.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Yerevan. Earlier this year, murals honoring war heroes were also defaced in another part of the city, sparking widespread anger. The recent vandalism has reignited discussions about respect for the memory of those who served in Armenia’s military, as well as the need for stronger protection of public memorials.
Local media outlet Oragir.News was the first to report on the incident, publishing a video provided by a citizen showing the defaced murals. The footage has since sparked a strong reaction from the public, many of whom are calling for harsher punishments for those who disrespect the memory of fallen soldiers.
The murals are a significant part of Yerevan’s efforts to honor the participants of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. They have become a place where people come to pay their respects to the heroes who fought in the conflict. The repeated acts of vandalism against these tributes have raised concerns about public decency and the protection of national symbols.
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