Masked Fishermen Throw Gasoline Bottles and Wood at Rangers; Several Arrested

In the framework of a criminal investigation, the circumstances of an incident involving the robbery with the use of an object, causing bodily harm by a group of individuals with a prepared and adapted object, and hooliganism through threats of using such means against officials in Gegharkunik province are being clarified. This was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

On December 19, 2023, at 12:40, the employees of the Water Patrol Service of the Gegharkunik province, along with the staff of the "Lake Sevan National Park" SNCO, were carrying out their duties near the Noratus settlement of Lake Sevan using two boats. They were approached by about 200 fishing boats. According to the report, many masked individuals on these boats shouted insults at the rangers and the crew of the boats belonging to the "Lake Sevan National Park" SNCO, threatened to set them and the boats on fire, and threw gasoline-filled bottles and wood toward them.

Some managed to board a boat owned by the "Lake Sevan National Park" and got into a physical altercation with the staff on the boat, hitting them with hands, feet, and various objects, resulting in several injuries of varying degrees among the employees, based on preliminary data.

Throughout this, the rangers and park staff urged them to cease their illegal activities and comply with their legal demands. However, the individuals approached by the boats continued their aggressive actions; one of them cut the rope tethering a boat to the rear of the "Lake Sevan National Park" boat with a knife and took it away. After a pursuit of about 2 km by the rangers, the fishermen escaped.

A similar report was also received from the employees of the "Lake Sevan National Park" SNCO. Considering that the factual data obtained contain elements of robbery with the use of an object, causing bodily harm with a prepared and adapted object, and hooliganism through threats of using such means, as well as interfering with the official legal activities of an official, a criminal case has been initiated under Article 253, Part 2, Point 2; Article 297, Part 3; and Article 452, Part 4, Point 2 of the RA Criminal Code in the specialized department for particularly important cases of crimes against a person.

An investigative group has been formed, and an investigation is ongoing. As a result of a special operation conducted by the police, 26 individuals who were directly suspected of committing criminal acts have been arrested and brought to the prosecuting authority. Decisions have been made regarding their arrests.

The investigation is ongoing, and all necessary immediate actions are being taken to clarify the circumstances of the incident, identify all individuals involved, individualize the actions of the persons, and provide a legal evaluation.

Earlier reports indicated that Noratus was surrounded by internal troops, and clashes had occurred with the rangers.