Robert Abajyan

Biography

Early life

Abajyan was born in 1996 in Yerevan. In 2003, he attended Yerevan's Basic School No. 147 in Kanaker-Zeytun District. which he graduated in 2014 with a degree in dental technology. He then attended Medical Institute named after Mother Teresa later same year.

After the death of the commander, Robert Abajyan, who had suffered a wound in his leg by that time, took it upon himself to proceed with the resistance. After the penetration of Azerbaijani forces inside the line, he brought his wounded comrade machine-gunner Andranik Zohrabyan into the trench cell, which was located at a distance of 30 meters (98 feet).

In the trench cell Abajyan contacted the battalion commander and provided valuable information on the operational situation. He informed about possible dangers to the commander of the group that hurried to aid. After spotting the approaching Azerbaijani soldiers, he attracted their attention by raising his hands and pretended to surrender, while secretly keeping an exposed hand grenade.

On 8 April, after a mutual agreement was reached in advance between both parties, the bodies of Abajyan and Zohrabyan were found as a result of body searching operations.

Funeral

On 11 April 2016, Abajyan was buried in the Yerablur Military Pantheon. Funeral ceremonies were held in front of St. John the Baptist Church in Yerevan.

Hero of Artsakh

Abajyan was posthumously awarded the highest Honorary Title "Hero of Artsakh" and the Order of the "Golden Eagle", He became the 24th "Hero of Artsakh" awardee, as well as the youngest person ever to hold the title at 19 years old.