Incidents of Interference with Police Activity in Shirak Province: Charges Filed Against 2 Individuals

As a result of joint efforts by the Shirak Provincial Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia and officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, several circumstances surrounding incidents of interference with police activity on February 25 and 27, 2023, have been clarified.

On February 25, 2023, the Shirak Provincial Investigative Department received a report from the Amassia Police Station indicating that around 7:30 PM, an officer, while performing his duties in the central square of Amassia, noticed a "VAZ 2103" model vehicle that had stopped in the middle of the square while driving erratically. An examination revealed that the 34-year-old driver of the vehicle did not have the right to drive and was in an intoxicated state. After exiting the vehicle, he violently tugged on the officer's uniform and struck him once. Based on the facts collected in the initiated criminal proceedings, charges were filed against the 34-year-old man under Articles 452, Part 3 and 344, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. As a measure of restraint, he was prohibited from leaving and bail was set at 1,000,000 AMD.

In another incident, on February 27, 2023, the Shirak Provincial Police Administration received a report from the Artik Police Station stating that around 1:05 AM, four individuals born in 1999, 1998, 2000, and 1994 were taken to the station on suspicion of brawling, using sexual insults, and failing to comply with the legal demands of police officers at the intersection of Baghramyan and Abovyan Streets in Artik city. During this time, the 1994-born man threatened the police officers, resisted, and caused bodily harm to two of them. Following the facts obtained during the initiated criminal proceedings, charges were brought against this individual under Article 452, Part 1 and Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. For this defendant, pre-trial detention was chosen as a measure of restraint.

In both aforementioned cases, the police officers involved have been recognized as victims. Investigative actions have included site examinations, the confiscation of clothing, and the appointment of forensic examinations. Several eyewitnesses have been interrogated. Relevant directives have been given to units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The investigation is ongoing.

Notice: The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court decision that has entered into legal force, according to the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia.