Criminal Case Against Hayk Harutyunyan for Inciting Suicide Suspended

The spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, Vardan Tadevosyan, informed ‘Azatutyun’ that the criminal case initiated against former police chief Hayk Harutyunyan on charges of inciting suicide has been suspended following the results of a post-mortem psychological examination. Although a second examination has been ordered, it cannot be ruled out that the case will be dismissed based on its findings.

Hayk Harutyunyan was a key witness in the events of March 1. In September 2019, his body was discovered in his private house in Bjni with a gunshot wound to the head; he had served as the head of the Armenian police from 2003 to 2008.

According to the criminal case of March 1, a group of police personnel fabricated and circulated obviously false documents dated February 29, 2008, in an effort to create the illusion that the actions of the police were legal and justified. These documents allegedly contained information claiming that weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices were present among those participating in the sit-in at Liberty Square, which served as the rationale for the police’s decision to detain protesters who were staying overnight at the square.