In mines: the identity of the bomber in "Scarlet Sails" identified by a tattoo
The explosive device that detonated in the lobby of the Alye Parusa housing estate on February 3 could have been carried by a suicide bomber, a source told Izvestia. It was preliminarily determined that it was a directional fragmentation mine MON-50, which was detonated when Armen Sargsyan, the founder of the Donetsk battalion ArBat, stepped out of the elevator. The law enforcers managed to identify the bomber by a tattoo on his leg in the form of a sword wrapped with a snake, as well as fingerprints. He turned out to be a 55-year-old previously convicted citizen of Armenia. However, it is possible that he was used blindly, and the explosive device was detonated remotely. Details of the case - in the material "Izvestia".
Who is behind the explosion in the "Scarlet Sails"
The suicide bomber could be the perpetrator of the assassination attempt on the founder of the Donetsk battalion "ArBat", head of the Boxing Federation of the DNR Armen Sarkisyan - this was reported to "Izvestia" by a source in law enforcement agencies. The crime occurred on February 3 in the residential complex "Alye Parusa". As explained by our interlocutor, the investigators were able to identify the deceased by a tattoo on his leg.
-At the scene of the explosion was found the body of an unknown person with signs of mine blast trauma, - said the source. - He was about 45 years old, with baldness in the parietal and frontal temporal and temporal regions. A prominent nose and a faint tattoo on the left shin in the shape of a sword with wings coiled with a snake. This detail and a common database helped operatives to establish the identity - 55-year-old previously convicted citizen of Armenia Parur M.
The suspect placed the explosive device on his body, and the target was waiting in the lobby of the LCD. According to the preliminary version, when Armen Sargsyan passed by him with the guards, Parur M. went behind their backs and detonated the mine. According to Izvestia's source, the suicide bomber could detonate the mine with the help of a check like a grenade.
- "Theoretically, it cannot be ruled out that the perpetrator was used blindly and the mine detonator was activated remotely, but the self-detonation version seems to be a priority, " the Izvestia source said.
As a result of the explosion, Sarkisyan's left foot was blown off, he received multiple shrapnel wounds and died in hospital from his injuries.
Three other victims were hospitalized. Among them were two of Sarkisyan's guards: Oleg Kasperovich, 49, suffered concussion, multiple fractures and shrapnel wounds, and Sergei Shkryabatovsky, 41, suffered lower limb injuries. LCD resident Daria Karseladze, 44, was diagnosed with multiple head and limb injuries.
MON-50, the fragments of which the law enforcers found at the crime scene, is a directional anti-personnel mine, controlled. It is designed to incapacitate enemy personnel, when detonated it is struck by ready-made killing elements.
On February 2, Sarkisyan's personal guard noticed the presence of suspicious people in the Veshki bathing complex, which he visited on Sundays. On February 3, Sarkisyan changed his usual schedule and left the house much later than usual, but it did not protect him from the assassination attempt.
Why Armen Sargsyan was blown up
Now law enforcement agencies are considering two main versions. The first of them is a Ukrainian trace. Sarkisyan regularly received threats from the territory of Ukraine, and a reward was even appointed for his head. The reason for this was that in 2022 Sarkisyan founded in Donetsk the "ArBat" battalion, an Armenian special-purpose unit, which is part of the volunteer assault corps of the Russian Defense Ministry's BARS project and actively participates in combat operations in the course of the SVO.
The second version, which is being worked out by the investigation, is Armen Sarkisyan's business related to cigarette trade, the Izvestia source noted.
Armen Sarkisyan
According to the source, several alleged accomplices of Parur M. have already been detained and law enforcers are working with them. A criminal case has been opened under articles on attempted murder of two or more persons, murder by common means and illegal trafficking of weapons.
What threatens the organizers of the attempt on Sargsyan's life?
Under the articles qualified by the investigators, all those involved in the crime face imprisonment from 15-20 years to life, said Vladimir Kuznetsov, chairman of the All-Russian Union of Mediators.
- Given that the investigation has just begun, the investigation may reveal the persons involved in these events," said the expert. - Including a possible customer, if the custom nature of the explosion is established.
Based on the version that the explosive device was detonated by a suicide bomber, we can assume that it's about settling personal scores, said Konstantin Trapaidze, chairman of the "Your Legal Attorney" Bar Association.
- Most likely, what happened may be based on motives of personal revenge, competition for some spheres of activity, including business. It's no secret that since the 90s boxers and athletes have been very versatile, multi-skilled people," he said.
The nature of Sargsyan's relations with his business partners and competitors could well be affected by his combat past, the expert did not rule out.
- Sarkisian was engaged in many types of activities. Business, sports, politics. His character is not easy, battle-hardened, unyielding. People who have fought in wars are most often concrete and categorical. And his counterparties were most likely people like that, too. And if they don't like something, or it seems that the spheres of influence are divided incorrectly, they can settle accounts in this way, - Konstantin Trapaidze believes.
In addition to the direct perpetrators and customers, the investigation will also focus on those who assisted in the preparation of the assassination attempt, says lawyer Igor Khodakov.
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