24-Year-Old Army Serviceman Displays Disrespectful Behavior Toward Police Officers, Arrested

On February 22, around 00:10, in the city of Stepanavan, operative officer Tigran P. from the criminal investigation department of the Stepanavan police, and community police inspector Arthur G. noticed a 24-year-old resident of Stepanavan, Frunzik Shahinyan, driving his VAZ 21703 vehicle with license plate 35 PT 060 at high speed while maneuvering at the intersection of Sargsyan and Shahumyan streets. As reported by photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, the police attempted to stop him, but Shahinyan ignored their lawful order to 'stop' and continued driving quickly, again maneuvering at the intersection of Sargsyan and Surb Nshan streets, displaying disrespectful behavior towards the public, before fleeing the scene.

Shortly thereafter, Stepanavan police discovered Shahinyan. Suspected of hooliganism, he was taken into custody in an Opel vehicle at the beginning of Teryan Street, during which time Shahinyan opened the car door and attempted to flee, but the police prevented him. After that, according to preliminary information, Shahinyan, appearing to be in an obvious state of intoxication, did not comply with police officers' lawful demands, hitting them with his hands and feet on various parts of their bodies, and later ripped off the epaulet of one of the officers.

According to G. Shamshyan's reports, the police eventually managed to take him into custody at the Stepanavan police station. An investigation is underway at the Stepanavan police station regarding the incident, and the materials have been forwarded to the 7th garrison investigative department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, as it is reported that Shahinyan is a serviceman of the Ministry of Defense. Necessary operational measures are being undertaken to locate the VAZ 21073 vehicle.