How Many Stun Grenades Were Used Today: Analysis

In the "Union of Informed Citizens," we analyzed the videos of clashes between citizens and police (including our aerial footage). Approximately 25 instances of stun grenade usage were recorded (in some shots, 32 explosions can be seen/heard).

Although the protesters—encouraged by their leader Vazgen Galstanyan—initiated unlawful and aggressive actions, it should be noted that there were several mistakes and violations committed by the police:

1. The police did not create a proper barrier at the flanks of Lover's Park, which led to the protesters entering the park and causing the police line to collapse. If a police line had been positioned at that flank (for instance, near the park's fence), the ranks would not have been breached, and special measures would not have been necessary.
2. We found no objective evidence indicating that citizens were warned about the use of special measures, contrary to legal requirements.
3. Given the situation, the use of the first three stun grenades at Lover's Park and the first two stun grenades on Demirchyan Street was proportional and necessary, after which the crowd's aggression ceased. At that point, it would have been possible to isolate the remaining aggressive individuals without special measures.
4. The remaining approximately 20 grenades were used against retreating, fleeing citizens, and those providing assistance to the injured. Incidents were reported (mainly at the Demirchyan-Bagramyan intersection) where a stun grenade was deployed against citizens already on the ground from previous detonations.
5. Stun grenades were used in violation of the procedure established by the RA Minister of Health's order 90-N of 2012; the minimum distance of 2.5 meters from individuals was not maintained, resulting in injuries to citizens.
6. A citizen who sustained significant hand (palm) injuries did so while attempting to pick up a (still undetonated) grenade that had fallen at his feet. Such a situation would not have occurred if the police had maintained the aforementioned 2.5-meter distance.

Therefore, it can be stated that the police did not take all possible measures to avoid such a situation, and after the clash initiated by the protesters, they crossed the limits of proportionality and violated the restrictions on the use of stun grenades, resulting in numerous injuries to individuals.