Video: Brawl and Fistfight in Abovyan City; Weapons Also Used

The investigation conducted by the Kotayk Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee has revealed significant details regarding a case of hooliganism and physical violence involving a resident of the Abovyan community by a group of more than ten individuals. This was announced by the RA Investigative Committee.

On March 7, 2024, at 19:03, an unknown citizen reported gunshots during a scuffle near a restaurant located in Constitution Square of Abovyan community. An investigative-operational group immediately went to the scene and took investigative, procedural, and operational measures, which resulted in obtaining information about the identities and motives of the participants in the incident.

In connection with the incident, a criminal case was initiated in the Abovyan Investigative Division of the Kotayk Regional Investigative Department under Article 297 (Part 2, Clause 1), Article 297 (Part 3), Article 335 (Part 1), and Article 195 (Part 2, Clause 5) of the RA Criminal Code, and a decision was made to assign the preliminary investigation to the investigative group.

According to the information gathered during the investigation, on March 7, 2024, at approximately 18:30, a dispute and fistfight occurred between employees of a transportation company and a resident of the Abovyan community, identified as V.M., regarding passenger transport issues at a bus stop on Freedom Avenue in Yerevan. Subsequently, after V.M. drove his Mazda 3 vehicle to Abovyan, the aforementioned employees informed another resident of the same city about the incident and pursued him to Abovyan.

At about 19:00, V.M. parked his vehicle in front of the restaurant in Constitution Square of Abovyan, after which more than ten individuals, as a group, displayed disrespectful behavior towards the public and a blatant disregard for legal and moral norms, blocking V.M.'s vehicle with their cars and hindering other traffic as well.

Then, approaching V.M.'s vehicle, they opened the front doors, turned off the engine, and ignoring the presence of many people in the street, they demonstratively disregarded the rules of coexistence, shouting insults and striking V.M. on various parts of his body with hands and feet. During the altercation, one of the participants fired a shot at V.M. with a 'Baricat $17' type pistol but missed.

As a result of the described actions, traffic in that part of the street was disrupted for an extended time, normal operation of public significance facilities in the surrounding area was obstructed, and the tranquility of the people present was violated, creating feelings of fear and anxiety among them.

During the preliminary investigation, V.M. was identified as the victim and was interrogated regarding the circumstances of the incident. The scene of the event was examined, from which a recording was obtained from a recording device, leading to the identification of both the individuals who assaulted the victim and the one who fired shots at him, all of whom were identified as employees of the mentioned transportation company and residents of the enlarged Abovyan community.

Upon inspecting the Mazda 3 vehicle, damage was found on the windshield, and one fired bullet was recovered. Several examinations have been appointed. In the course of the proceedings, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against four individuals, one of whom has been arrested. The individual who is suspected of shooting has been charged under Article 195 (Part 2, Clause 5) and Article 297 (Part 3) of the RA Criminal Code. He has been chosen to be kept in custody as a preventive measure. Public criminal prosecution against the other three has been initiated for actions foreseen under Article 195 (Part 2, Clause 5) and Article 297 (Part 2, Clause 1) of the RA Criminal Code, and the police have been instructed to locate them and present them to the prosecuting authority.