Doors of Government Building Broken, Signs Torn Off, Flags Stolen: Investigation Concluded

The investigation into the mass disturbances organized in Yerevan on November 10, 2020, continues under the main department for investigating crimes against the state, constitutional order, and public safety of the RA Investigative Committee.

Numerous investigative and procedural actions have established that brothers S.I. and D.I., upon learning that a ceasefire agreement reached between the Republic of Armenia, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Azerbaijan after hostilities unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 27, 2020, was to be announced, went to where a large crowd gathered near the Government Building and participated in the mass disturbances.

Specifically, S.I. and D.I., along with other participants of the disturbances, overcame a police barrier and approached the entrance doors of the Government Building. Subsequently, S.I., following the actions of others, kicked the entrance doors of the Government Building several times, resulting in them becoming damaged and eventually opened. After that, S.I. and D.I., along with other participants, illegally entered the Government Building No. 1, where they continued their actions of destruction and damaging property while associated with the mass disturbances. As a result, doors to several offices of government members and staff were broken, and public and private property necessary for the functioning of the executive power of Armenia was significantly damaged and destroyed.

This disrupted the functioning of the Government of Armenia and endangered public safety. In particular, S.I., along with D.I. and other participants, climbed to the third floor of the building, intending to cause damage; he jumped and kicked one of the double doors at the entrance of the hall known as the 'Red Hall.' Then, approaching a plaque affixed to the wall of an office located on the same floor, he pulled and tore it off, spat on it, threw it on the ground, and damaged it by kicking it. After that, he and his accomplices, including D.I., entered the 'White Hall' located on the same floor and, with the intent of causing damage, kicked one of the closed doors in that hall.

Then, S.I. attempted to pull off the office plaques of the Government Building, but seeing that he could not do so, he took a fire extinguisher affixed to the wall and, along with other individuals, including D.I., used it to hit and pull the plaques off the wall, which were then thrown to the ground, damaging them.

Furthermore, the investigation established that S.I., in preliminary agreement with another participant in the disturbances, and D.I. separately, were fully aware of the overt nature of their actions and the illegality of their conduct as understood by those present, had stolen flags of Armenia owned by the government staff.

Criminal charges have been filed against S.I. under points 1 and 3 of part 2 of Article 176 and part 2 of Article 225 of the previous Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, while charges against D.I. were raised under point 3 of part 2 of Article 176 and part 2 of Article 225 of the same code. S.I., who was on the wanted list, has been located and presented to the investigating authority. He has been remanded in custody, while a travel ban has been imposed on D.I. The investigation has been concluded, and the case materials, along with an accusatory conclusion, have been sent to the court.

To date, criminal proceedings have been initiated against 39 individuals involved in the mass disturbances organized in Yerevan on November 10, 2020.

Note: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia and a legally enforced court verdict.