On August 25, 2022, Yerevan City Prosecutor's Office received and examined the case initiated by the explosion incident in the "Surmalu" shopping center located at 15 Arshakunyats Avenue in Yerevan, and the RA Investigative Committee of Yerevan. Materials of the criminal proceedings were examined in the severe crimes investigation department of the investigative department. As a result of the study, and based on the testimonial facts that the persons present in the criminal proceedings testified to the commission of the crime, on 25.08.2022, the prosecutor exercising control over the legality of the criminal proceedings came to a judgment against two persons by Part 2 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (Article 357 Fire Safety violation of the rules or requirements, which negligently caused the death of a person or other serious consequences: ) about initiating a public criminal prosecution. The RA General Prosecutor's Office reported this.

The decisions were sent to the investigator, and an instruction was given to file charges against the mentioned persons within the time limit set by the law and submit a petition to the court to choose detention as a preventive measure. In addition, by studying the materials of the criminal proceedings, it was also found that the existing facts prove the existence of sufficient grounds to initiate a public criminal prosecution against two more persons under Article 165, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (Article 165: Depriving the lives of two or more persons by negligence) therefore, the investigator was instructed to initiate criminal proceedings also under Article 165 of the RA Criminal Code and to undertake procedural actions aimed at creating criminal prosecution of the persons guilty of it.

On the same day, the investigator-initiated criminal proceedings under Article 165, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code, and actions to initiate public criminal prosecution against the mentioned persons were submitted to the prosecutor, which was granted.

On 26.08.2022, four persons were arrested: two under part 2 of Article 357 of the RA Criminal Code and two under part 2 of Article 165. Additional information will be provided regarding the details of the criminal investigation.

Notification. the person suspected or accused of the alleged crime is considered innocent until his guilt is proven by the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code, by a legally binding court verdict.