The trial of Tigran Melkonyan, 31, begins this Thursday before the Hainaut Assize Court with the drawing of lots for the jurors, from 2 p.m.
The Armenian is accused of the murder of Valério Bouteiller, aged 21, committed in Charleroi on September 15, 2021. He must also answer for detention and carrying a 6.35 caliber pistol, as well as ammunition.
On September 15, 2021, around 5 p.m., Valério Bouteiller was dropped off at Marie Curie hospital by unknown people. He died and has a chest wound. Around 7:15 p.m., the accused and his best friend showed up at the hospital. They are suspected of having dropped off the victim two hours earlier.
The police, who had arrived in the meantime, deprived them of their liberty. The accused claims to have discovered the victim’s body, by chance, in a vacant lot in Dampremy. His friend says Tigran shot the victim, but he told him the shooting was accidental. The accused later confirmed this version, declaring that he wanted to sell a weapon that he had bought a few weeks earlier in Charleroi.
Homicide intent will be at issue in the trial.
The accused will appear free at trial, having been released on August 3, 2023 with conditions.
