Charges Laid Against Masis Mayor and His Brother

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported that its Yerevan city division for serious crime has completed the preliminary investigation concerning incidents that occurred at the intersection of Heratsi and Koryun streets in Yerevan on April 16, 2018, as well as in the Noragavit neighborhood on April 23 and disturbances reported in the Erebuni administrative district on April 22. The investigation also covers cases of hooliganism near the intersection of the villages of Hayanist and Hovtashat in the Ararat region.

As previously reported, criminal cases involving these four incidents were combined into one proceeding in accordance with the Armenian Criminal Procedure Code, with the preliminary investigation undertaken by the Investigative Committee's Yerevan division.

As a result of extensive investigative actions and operational-search measures, several circumstances surrounding the incidents have been established, along with identifying some individuals suspected of committing the alleged crimes. Sixteen people and the Hayanist community have been recognized as victims, with charges brought against eleven individuals.

The investigation revealed that on April 16, 2018, at around 10:10 AM, the brother of the Masis Mayor, G. Hambardzumyan, alongside a group of others, grossly violated public order, displaying blatant disrespect toward society. At the intersection of Heratsi and Koryun streets, he uttered insults against protesters blocking the junction, applying violence against participants of the demonstration.

Evidence has also been gathered indicating G. Hambardzumyan's involvement in the incident that occurred at the Hayanist-Hovtashat intersection in the Ararat region on April 22. Specifically, he, along with a group, obstructed the path of protest participants heading from Hayanist to Yerevan's Republic Square by blocking the road with unmarked vehicles while verbally assaulting them and using violence—kicking and hitting them with previously obtained sticks and stones.

During this time, D. Hambardzumyan fired shots from a vehicle at the peaceful marchers, endangering public safety and creating an atmosphere of fear and terror among members of the public. Furthermore, D. Hambardzumyan, along with his brother G. Hambardzumyan, assaulted demonstration participants with fists and feet, damaging the vehicle of one march participant.

Amidst these events, a group of individuals attacked other march participants with sticks, a car exhaust, and other items, also damaging vehicles belonging to the Hayanist community and a resident of the Ararat region, causing property damage.

During the pre-trial proceedings, evidence emerged showing that on April 23, 2018, from approximately 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM, three individuals involved in the aforementioned disturbances committed acts of violence in the Noragavit neighborhood of Yerevan, aiming to prevent citizens from expressing their free will with blatant disregard for public order and verbally assaulting citizens heading to Yerevan.

Combining the evidence collected, charges have been laid against the Mayor of Masis, Davit Hambardzumyan, under Article 225, Part 2 and Article 258, Part 4 of the RA Criminal Code, against Gor Hambardzumyan under Article 258, Part 3, Item 1 and Article 258, Part 4 of the RA Criminal Code, and against six other individuals under Article 225, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code. Additionally, one individual has been charged under Article 225, Part 2 and Article 258, Part 3, Item 1, while two others have been charged under Article 258, Part 3, Item 1 of the RA Criminal Code.

The charges against these individuals have been formally disclosed, and the criminal case, with a prosecutorial conclusion, has been forwarded to the prosecutor supervising the pre-trial investigation. The preliminary investigation continues regarding two additional defendants: the organizer of the mass disturbances and other participants in the incidents.

Necessary measures are being taken to locate additional individuals involved in the incidents and evaluate their actions under criminal law.