By Anna Saghabalian
The Interior Ministry press service confirmed on 13 July that Arsen Harutyunyan, the 30 year old son of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mikael Harutyunyan, attacked David Becker (29), a U.S. citizen on July 10 in the "Bunker" club in downtown Yerevan. Police officials confirmed that Backer has appealed to the central department of the police complaining that someone named Arsen beat him severely, causing injuries. The investigation confirmed that the assailant was Arsen Harutyunyan.Police officials told RFE/RL that according to David Backer, Harutyunyan also attacked two women who were with him in "Bunker" club. One of the women was taken to hospital with multiple injuries.The police refused to disclose the names of the women, but some newspapers reported that one of the women was Becker's fiancee. The police are still investigating the incident.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Armenia told RFE/RL that Backer informed the Embassy that he was attacked and injured. The Embassy refused to intervene, as Backer is not a U.S. Embassy employee.
General Mikael Harutyunyan refused to comment on the incident involving his son. In a telephone conversation with RFE/RL, he suggested that the investigation will determine if his son is guilty of the assault. "It would be improper for me to comment," the general said, adding that his children were brought up properly.