Criminal Prosecution Initiated Against Dilijan Criminal Investigation Department Head

On June 2, 2023, by the decision of the Prosecutor of Tavush region, the petition not to initiate public criminal prosecution against Arsen Gaitmazyan, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Dilijan division of the Tavush regional police, was dismissed. The prosecutor's office reports that on the same day, the prosecutor of the Tavush region instructed the investigator to amend the record of the criminal proceedings to correct the factual description of the alleged crime and the provided legal assessment, which was carried out.

By the decision of the prosecutor, Arsen Gaitmazyan was subjected to public criminal prosecution under Article 196, Part 2, Point 3 of the Criminal Code (causing severe physical pain or severe mental suffering to a minor) for allegedly entering into an unfounded dispute with a restaurant employee, minor A.A., at the "Haghartsin" restaurant and hotel complex in Dilijan on April 10, 2023, around 11:30 PM, and inflicting multiple blows to A.A.'s head and various parts of the body, causing severe physical pain to the minor.

The prosecutor also instructed the investigator to bring charges against Gaitmazyan, to present a petition to the court for the detention of the accused who is not in custody, and to choose pre-trial detention as a measure of restraint. The instruction required investigating all possible versions, determining the real reasons for what happened, as well as examining the legal grounds for the minor victim's employment at the mentioned establishment.

At the same time, under the powers to protect state interests, an investigation has begun at the "Haghartsin" restaurant and hotel complex to uncover and legally assess potential violations of the law regarding the hiring of minors.

It is noteworthy that on June 1, a video was circulated showing how the head of the criminal investigation department of Dilijan, Arsen Gaitmazyan, assaulted a 16-year-old youth in the restaurant and hotel complex. The incident occurred on April 10.

During the pre-investigation, the head of the criminal investigation department submitted an application to the investigating authority expressing his full remorse for his actions, stating he had met with the victim and apologized, and he was ready to apologize to the victim's parents as well, fully recognizing and understanding that he had demonstrated inappropriate behavior and requesting that public criminal prosecution not be initiated against him on the grounds of active remorse. The request not to initiate criminal prosecution on the basis of active remorse was approved.

On April 14, the internal security department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated a service investigation, and the aforementioned fact was confirmed. On May 5, his service powers were temporarily suspended, and the documents obtained during the service investigation were sent to the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia.