Charges Filed Against Man Who Drove Truck Towards Protesters

The investigative process continues in the first department of the Central and Norq Marash administrative districts of the RA Investigative Committee regarding the incident of apparent hooliganism committed by the driver of a Kamaz truck during the rally organized by the initiative ‘Tavush for the Fatherland’ on May 9, 2024, in Republic Square.

The Investigative Committee previously reported that during the rally, the truck driver had driven the Kamaz vehicle towards the participants of the gathering.

Based on investigative and procedural actions conducted within the framework of the criminal case initiated following the incident, several circumstances have been established, including the identity of the driver, a 40-year-old resident of the Ararat region.

Investigators obtained factual data indicating that he was aware of the rally taking place in Republic Square, Yerevan, and on May 9, 2024, around 21:00, under the influence of alcohol, drove his own Kamaz 54112 truck on Italy Street towards the intersection of Khorenatsi and Vazgen Sargsyan streets. Subsequently, disregarding prohibitory road signs, he entered the one-way traffic zone on Vazgen Sargsyan Street from the wrong direction, circumvented police officers, and ignored traffic police orders by driving into Republic Square.

Then, with the direct intention of committing hooliganism, driven by a perceived sense of self-importance, he grossly violated public order, exhibiting open disrespect towards society and a blatant disregard for legal and moral norms. Specifically, in a reckless pursuit of self-assertion and a fabricated superiority over the public, he drove the truck into Republic Square and parked it in the center of the square, thereby disrupting the serenity of the participants in the rally and causing anxiety for those present in the square with his unlawful and immoral actions.

On the basis of sufficient evidence obtained, public criminal proceedings have been initiated against the driver under Article 297, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, and charges have been filed against him. As a preventive measure, a restriction on absence has been imposed on him.

The preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Notice: A person charged with a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code and by a court decision that has entered into legal force.