Officers attempt to cover up cause of death Family members of Gevorg Kotinyan, a conscript soldier in the Artskah Defense Forces (ADF), who died on February 6, claim that he was beaten to death by a group of four other soldiers, some in a drunken stupor. From preliminary reports by the family of the slain soldier, who had already served 9 months without any problem, it appears that an argument ensued during a birthday party on the military base. The Kotinyan family says that were initially told that Gevorg had fallen, after suffering a heart attack. Boris, the slain soldier’s uncle was present at the autopsy and says that the wounds to his body however pointed to physical assault and that this finding was noted in the official report. The uncle finds it impossible that the young man instigated the quarrel. Thos involved in the beating have been arrested and two of them have confessed. Karen, Gevorg Kotinyan’s brother, says he was an outgoing young man always respectful of others and steered clear of trouble.