On April 26, 2025, a memorial liturgy was held at St. Hovhannes Church in Kond, Yerevan, marking the third anniversary of the tragic death of Sona Mnatsakanyan. Mnatsakanyan, a 29-year-old pregnant woman, was fatally struck by a police SUV from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s motorcade on April 26, 2022, while crossing a street in central Yerevan. The vehicle did not stop after the collision.
Following the church service, a rally took place at the intersection of Leo and Paronyan streets, near the site of the incident. Participants, including public figures, journalists, and opposition deputies, gathered to honor Mnatsakanyan’s memory by placing flowers and lighting candles near her photograph. The event also served as a platform to demand justice and accountability for her death.
The driver of the SUV, police Major Aram Navasardyan, was arrested twice and charged with reckless driving and negligence but was released by the courts. Despite the charges, Navasardyan was neither suspended nor dismissed from his position. The victim’s family has criticized the investigation, alleging a cover-up and pointing to the authorities’ refusal to release radio communications from the motorcade, citing a “technical malfunction.”
In March 2023, Armenia’s Court of Appeals ordered a new investigation into the case, instructing the Investigative Committee to examine the missing recordings. However, as of April 2025, no individuals have been held accountable for Mnatsakanyan’s death. Her family continues to seek justice, expressing frustration over the prolonged legal proceedings and perceived lack of transparency.
The memorial events underscore ongoing concerns about accountability and the rule of law in Armenia, particularly regarding incidents involving government officials and law enforcement.
