Charges Filed Against Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Sahakyan

On March 20, 2024, during the live broadcast of the 83rd episode of "I..." on the internet platform "YouTube.com", the hosts of the program used offensive language and inappropriate expressions directed at members of the Armenian government and representatives of the authorities while discussing the events that took place in the National Assembly of Armenia on the same day, as well as the speeches of the Prime Minister.

In response to the incident, the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case on March 21 within the division for investigating serious crimes of the Yerevan investigative department, based on Article 297, part 2, points 1 and 3 of the RA Criminal Code.

Based on the evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation, a petition was submitted to the supervising prosecutor regarding the hosts of the program, N. S. and V. S., to initiate criminal proceedings against them under Article 297, part 2, points 1 and 3 of the RA Criminal Code. They are accused of committing hooliganism with intent, by using information and communication technologies, while being aware of the presence of a large audience during the broadcast, and demonstrated outright disrespect for society and contempt for moral norms by using offensive language directed at members of the government and representatives of the authorities.

The petition has been approved. The police have been instructed to arrest the defendants for the purpose of bringing them before the court and submitting them to the competent authority. The individuals in question have been arrested. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.