Three years after a fatal incident, a court has found Aram Navasardyan—former driver in the prime minister’s convoy—guilty in the death of 29-year-old pregnant woman Sona Mnatsakanyan. He was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison and barred from driving for the same period.
The crash occurred on April 26, 2022, at the Paronyan-Leo Street intersection, which had been closed for the PM's convoy. Mnatsakanyan attempted to use the pedestrian crossing when one of the convoy’s vehicles, reportedly exceeding the speed limit, struck her. Navasardyan, a police major, was behind the wheel. None of the drivers, including the prime minister’s own, stopped after the collision.
Public prosecutor Armen Beglaryan stated in court that Navasardyan’s actions constitute a moderately serious offense, which carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment under the law. The investigation explored multiple scenarios and lasted over three years.
Sona Mnatsakanyan’s family had demanded a four-year sentence, while the prosecutor sought 2.5 years, according to Sputnik Armenia.
The court also ruled that Navasardyan must pay AMD 4 million as compensation for damages, after Sona’s father, Mnatsakan Mnatsakanyan, requested 10 million AMD to cover funeral and burial costs.
Navasardyan’s lawyer accused the court of bias and called the trial unfair, emphasizing that no new forensic examinations had been conducted, Aravot reported.
Mnatsakan Mnatsakanyan left the courtroom deeply disappointed, declaring: “I had higher hopes that there would be real justice, but now I’m convinced it doesn’t exist in Armenia.”
He stated he fully disagrees with the ruling and is certain that the sentence could even be overturned upon appeal. He plans to challenge the verdict in higher courts.
