Citizen Fights with Police Over Not Wearing a Mask

The investigation is ongoing in the Lori regional investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee to clarify all circumstances regarding a case of violence against police officers by a citizen in Vanadzor. On June 30, 2020, around 17:40, while on duty to ensure compliance with the emergency state regulations established by the government of Armenia, officers from the Vanadzor division of the police noticed a citizen without a protective mask near one of the buildings on Yerevanian Avenue in Vanadzor. They approached him and requested identification documents to draft a protocol for the administrative violation of not wearing a mask.

The citizen stated that he did not have identification and attempted to leave the scene, disregarding the legal demands of the police, who are representatives of state authority, to remain until the administrative protocol was drawn up. Continuing to disobey, the citizen committed acts of non-dangerous violence against the police, hitting one officer on the hand and face, and subsequently tugging at their uniforms, tearing off the identification badge.

Following the measures taken, it was determined that the citizen in question is a resident of Vanadzor. He was arrested and interrogated concerning the incident. He has been charged under Article 316, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (violence against a representative of authority), and a motion has been filed to the court for his detention as a preventive measure. The pre-investigation continues.

Notice: The suspect or accused in the alleged crime is considered innocent until proven guilty by a legally binding court decision in accordance with the procedures set forth in the RA Criminal Procedure Code.

The Investigative Committee once again urges citizens to ensure the proper implementation of the requirements and rules set by the authorities during the state of emergency and to comply with the legal demands of the RA police and other law enforcement agencies to SAVE LIVES.