Video: NSS Releases Statement

The investigative department of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia is continuing its investigation into mass disturbances, public calls aiming to seize power, and violently overthrow the constitutional order. This follows cases imposed on the National Assembly and government of Armenia under Article 225, parts 1, 2, and 4, as well as Article 301 and Article 301.1, part 1 of the Armenian Criminal Code.

During the investigation, sufficient evidence has been gathered leading to criminal prosecutions against dozens of participants or organizers of the mass disturbances, with currently 10 individuals subjected to restrictive measures, 5 individuals arrested, and others placed under non-custodial measures.

Furthermore, effective investigative and other procedural actions taken by the investigative body, along with parallel operational-search measures, have allowed for the identification and initiation of criminal prosecutions against those who used violence posing a threat to the life and health of the President of the National Assembly, Ararat Mirzoyan; those responsible for damage or destruction of property in the buildings of the Government and the National Assembly; and individuals who illegally seized property from a private residence located at 74 Dzorap Street in Yerevan, which had been assigned to the Prime Minister.

As a result of the operational-search measures and investigative actions, the identities of over seventy individuals have been clarified, and information regarding other participants of the mass disturbances has been specified, with ongoing search operations being conducted to locate them.

Criminal prosecutions have also been initiated against individuals depicted in widely circulated videos on social media, including two women who caused damage to property during government sessions, a person who used violence against the Prime Minister's spokesperson, the individual who damaged the door of the Prime Minister's reception room in the government building, and organizers of mass disturbances who called for violence at the office of the “Azatutyun” radio station, most of whom have provided confessional statements and expressed remorse for their actions.

Simultaneously, the investigative body has systematically taken measures to identify the organizers or leaders of the mass disturbances, relying on factual data obtained from participant testimonies, eyewitness interrogations, and examinations of video footage found at the scene to gather evidence of their leadership roles and directives during the disturbances.

Particularly, sufficient factual data has been acquired showing the active participation of politically motivated individuals known for their anti-government views during the mass disturbances, who performed acts of property destruction or engaged in similar aggressive behavior at the scene.

Using legally permissible prosecutorial tools, appropriate measures are being undertaken to ascertain the full circle of mass disturbance organizers or participants, individually address their actions, and apply effective legal measures accordingly.

Note: A suspect or defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, with a legally valid court ruling.