Investigative Committee Reports Number of Criminal Prosecutions Initiated Against Protest Participants

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has summarized the total progress of criminal proceedings initiated against participants of protests held against the demarcation process starting from April 20, 2024, in Tavush Province and other locations across the Republic up to May 8, 2024.

According to the data, a total of 11 criminal cases have been initiated during this period regarding acts of apparent criminal nature committed by citizens participating in the protests. Out of these, 7 cases were initiated in Tavush Province, Yerevan, and other regions regarding public acts of hooliganism, willful damage to property, physical actions, obstruction of police officers in the performance of their lawful duties, and blocking roads with vehicles by burning tires.

The other 4 criminal cases relate to incidents of damaging car tires, inciting hatred at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, public calls for violence during the protests, and apparent illegal acquisition and possession of weapons and ammunition.

As part of these proceedings, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against a total of 16 individuals. Among them:

• 11 individuals were prosecuted under the second part of Article 297 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (hooliganism committed as part of a group),
• 2 individuals under the third part of Article 297 (hooliganism committed using a weapon or a specially prepared item or means),
• 1 individual under the third part of Article 452 (interfering with the lawful service or political activities of a public official by use of violence),
• 1 individual under the third part of Article 329 (publicly instigating hatred, discrimination, intolerance, or enmity using publicly exhibited works or mass media),
• 1 individual under the third part of Article 330 (publicly calling for violence, justifying or promoting violence in public).

Pre-trial measures have been chosen for 9 accused individuals, which include detention for 9, house arrest for 1, prohibition from leaving for 3, administrative supervision combined with a prohibition from leaving and bail for 1, and educational supervision for 1 individual.

The investigation in all the mentioned criminal cases is ongoing.

Notice: An accused person is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court decision that has entered into legal force according to the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia.