An Armenian opposition figure has been shot dead at his home alongside another person, police reported on Wednesday.
Volodya Grigoryan was killed along with a friend – a police officer – who was visiting him at his home in a village in Armavir Region. Another person was injured in the incident. Grigoryan had served as a municipal head in the same region.
The gunman was reportedly wearing a mask and fired an automatic weapon at Grigoryan and others who had gathered in the front yard of the property. The suspect remains at large, senior investigator Artak Ovannisyan told reporters. The case is considered high-profile and will be handled by the Investigative Committee rather than local police.
Footage published by Armenian media showed the alleged assailant hitting the three victims from a distance, dropping them to the ground, before running towards them and firing more shots. The attack reportedly happened shortly before midnight on Tuesday.
Officials would neither confirm nor deny media claims that the murder may be connected to a blood feud allegedly involving Grigoryan’s brother, who is suspected of carrying out a deadly attack on the home of a local official in February.
Grigoryan, 42, was elected head of Parakar municipality in late March, running as a challenger against the candidate from the ruling Civil Contract party. He also led the faction of the opposition Country of Living party in the local governing council.
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