BBC Highlights March 1 Case: Who Ordered Fire Against Protesters?

The BBC Russian service has published an article about the post-election events in Armenia in 2008 and the incidents of March 1. The BBC has obtained documents from the Special Investigation Service regarding the March 1 case, confirming that a group brought from Karabakh opened fire on protesters under the command of General Samvel Karapetyan (Oganovski).

An excerpt from the article is translated below.

The BBC has acquired investigative documents related to one of the most tragic events in modern Armenian history: the death of ten people during the protests in Yerevan on March 1, 2008. The investigation finds that the order to fire on protesters was given by Major General Samvel Karapetyan (Oganovski).

Additionally, the investigatory documents in the possession of the BBC mention two former presidents of Armenia and two influential business MPs. The new investigation into the tragic events of February-March 2008 is already at the core of former President Robert Kocharyan's trial.

This investigation has significant political implications and could substantially alter the balance of power in Armenia. Relatives of the victims are also awaiting the results of the investigation. However, some label the case as an example of selective justice.

According to the materials examined, investigators believe that the armed forces from Karabakh opened fire on the protesters, led by Commander General Karapetyan (currently testifying as a witness in the March 1 case). During interrogations, investigators asserted that his unit was stationed in the basement of the Presidential Administration in Armenia [Baghramyan 26]. The investigation suggests that the unit was visited by both the acting and newly elected presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan.

Investigators have also confirmed the roles of two influential businessmen, Gagik Tsarukyan and Samvel Aleksanyan, who may have financed the presence of Karabakh’s security forces in Yerevan on the days of the protests. Sources from Armenia and Karabakh confirmed some assertions made by investigators during interrogations to the BBC. However, we could not independently verify all circumstances surrounding the deaths of the protesters.

Major General Karapetyan previously served in the defense army of the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR). The Special Investigation Service conducting the renewed inquiry in Armenia is directly subordinate to the Prime Minister. The SIS has declined to comment.

Karapetyan did not wish to discuss the charges against him with the BBC. Businessmen Tsarukyan and Aleksanyan denied the claims regarding their involvement in the events of 2008. Kocharyan's lawyer could not provide an immediate comment. Sargsyan declined to comment.

Who Led the Shooting?

During interrogations, investigators claimed that Major General Samvel Karapetyan (also known as Oganovski) led the shooting towards the protesters. In 2008, Karapetyan commanded the units brought from Karabakh to Yerevan. He confirmed this fact during an interrogation on August 15, 2018, where he appeared as a witness. The interrogation lasted four hours, and a copy of the transcript is in the BBC’s possession. At the time of the interrogation, he held the title of Deputy Minister of Defense of the NKR and resigned in April 2019. However, the versions presented by the SIS and the general contradict each other.

According to the investigation, Karapetyan formed a special group of 20 men, which was stationed in the basement of the Presidential residence on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue. There, the group members were allegedly visited several times by President Robert Kocharyan and newly elected President Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the investigator asserted during Karapetyan’s interrogation.

All group members indicated willingness to “fire on the people” if given the order, and this same group fired at the protesters on March 1, according to the investigation. During the interrogation, Karapetyan denied all allegations and stated that “no one ordered to fire on people.” The general was reticent and limited himself to one-word denials.

Such allegations against Karapetyan were also voiced by several witnesses during their interrogations. They were unable to confirm or deny information regarding his role in the March 1 tragedy. In response to the BBC’s inquiry, Karapetyan wrote in an email that he had already provided clarifications to the relevant authorities regarding the specified questions. “I do not see the need to return to them,” stated the general.

The SIS did not comment on the documents obtained by the BBC, citing “the interests of the preliminary investigation.” The SIS has interrogated former President Serzh Sargsyan twice in 2019, on February 1 and 6, both times as a witness, according to the documents received by the BBC.

Translation via civilnet.am.