Incident Between Residents of Noratus and Water Patrols Investigated by Investigative Committee

The preliminary investigation into the case initiated against a 27-year-old resident of Noratus for interfering with the lawful activities of a police officer through threats of violence has been completed. This was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

According to the findings of the investigation conducted by the Department of Investigation of Crimes Committed Against a Person at the Main Department of Particularly Important Cases, on the morning of December 19, 2023, around 50 masked residents from Noratus committed allegedly criminal acts against the water patrol officers of Gegharkunik province and employees of the "Sevan National Park" State Non-Commercial Organization.

In order to maintain public order and prevent crimes in the area, a special unit of the Police Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia was dispatched to Gegharkunik province. Police officers began measures to identify those who had committed crimes and to arrest them based on reasonable suspicion.

During the process of seating citizens in police vehicles, around 5:00 AM, a 27-year-old resident of Noratus, intending to interfere with the lawful duties of a police officer, attacked him with a knife, threatening to use violence. The police officer, avoiding the blow, slipped and fell. The 27-year-old continued his criminal intent, and taking advantage of the officer’s position on the ground, he struck him again with a knife in the lower back, damaging the police uniform.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained, the young man has been charged under Part 4, Subparagraph 2 of Article 452 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. He has been placed in custody as a precautionary measure. The preliminary investigation has concluded. The materials of the criminal case, with an accusatory conclusion, have been sent to the supervising prosecutor for approval and submission to the court.