Youths Assault Police Officers and Engage in Hooliganism

The Investigative Committee's Kotayk Regional Investigative Division has initiated a criminal case as part of urgent investigative actions. These actions, conducted in collaboration with relevant units of the Police of the Republic of Armenia, led to significant findings in a case involving hooliganism, interference with the lawful activities of police officers, and illegal possession and use of firearms, including the identification of two individuals suspected of committing the crime.

According to the collected data, on August 5 at approximately 21:30, officers from the Police of the Republic of Armenia heard gunshots while patrolling Acharyan Street in the Avan administrative district of Yerevan. They then observed a speeding Toyota vehicle and noted further gunfire coming from the same car. Understanding that the shots were fired from that vehicle, police officers pursued it and, upon reaching the vicinity of the village of Arinj, found the vehicle surrounded by approximately 10 to 15 youths.

As the officers approached, they demanded information regarding the driver, but the youths did not comply with the lawful requests of the police officers. Instead, they pushed and struck the officers, verbally abused them, and in preventing the officers from entering their service vehicle, they caused damage to it. It was only with the arrival of backup personnel that the situation was brought under control.

A criminal case has been initiated by the Abovyan investigative division of the Kotayk Regional Investigative Committee under multiple articles of the RA Criminal Code, including Article 297, Part 2, Point 1; Article 452, Parts 2 and 3; and Article 335, Part 1. Two police officers have been recognized as victims in this incident.

Subsequent investigations revealed the identities of two of the participants from the incident, both residents of Arinj village, aged 28 and 32. During the investigation, it was established that the shots were fired from within the Toyota vehicle, which belongs to one of the arrested individuals, the 28-year-old male.

In connection with the incident, a criminal case was opened under Article 297, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code, which has been consolidated with the previous case. Through inspections conducted at the crime scene, located at the intersection known as the "Arinj Arch" on the Sevan-Yerevan highway, over ten spent cartridges of 9mm caliber and a bullet were found. Gunshot traces were also discovered on the glass in front of the "Euromotors" car dealership at the scene. Forensic and ballistic examinations have been initiated, and searches have been carried out.

Sufficient evidence has led to charges being brought against the 28-year-old under Articles 297, Part 3; 335, Part 1; and 452, Part 3, while the 32-year-old man faces charges under Article 297, Part 2, Point 1 and Article 452, Part 3. Requests for applying pre-trial detention measures have been submitted to the court, which have been granted.

The investigation continues, with measures being taken to determine the identities of all individuals involved, establish a complete understanding of their roles, and recover the weapon involved in the crime.

Note: A suspect or accused individual is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedural law, as confirmed by a legally binding court judgment.