Three Individuals Arrested for Alleged Hooliganism During Protest Outside Foreign Ministry

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported that on May 31, during a protest organized outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a group of individuals allegedly engaged in acts of group hooliganism. Legal proceedings have been initiated against five participants under Article 297, Part 2, Clause 1 of the Armenian Criminal Code. This information was provided by the Investigative Committee.

"A decision has been made by the prosecuting body to arrest these individuals based on a warrant presented to the court. Out of the five individuals, four have been apprehended. A motion has been submitted to the court to select pre-trial detention as a measure against them. Following the deliberation of the motions, the court decided that three of the individuals would be detained while one would be placed under house arrest," the statement read.

It is noteworthy that within the framework of the criminal case being investigated by the Main Department of Investigative Committees, the accused are alleged to have committed hooliganism on May 31, 2024, around 4:00 PM, during the protest outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the "Tavush for the Homeland" movement. They are charged with demonstrating disrespect for society and openly disregarding legal and moral norms, while ignoring the requirements of police officers to maintain proper conduct and not disrupt public order. They reportedly made obscene remarks and hurled bottles and various objects at police officers and the Ministry building.

During the protest, some participants, in coordination with each other, threw smoking objects at the police, and one person kicked in the direction of the police line, making contact with a police shield held by one of the officers. These actions led to a disruption of the peace among those present and interfered with the public event.

The investigation is ongoing. Efforts are being made to locate additional individuals subject to criminal prosecution, as well as to identify other participants in the hooliganism and provide legal assessments of their actions," the statement concluded.