Criminal Proceedings Initiated During Protests Summarized by Armenian Investigative Committee

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has summarized the general progress of criminal proceedings initiated from the protests organized under the initiative "Tavush for the Homeland" in Tavush region starting from April 20, 2024, and in other settlements of the republic, in connection with the manifest criminal behaviors observed during these protests as of June 17.

During this period, a total of 47 criminal proceedings were initiated in various subdivisions of the Investigative Committee regarding the manifest criminal behaviors committed by citizens participating in the protests. Some of these cases have been consolidated into general proceedings.

The criminal proceedings were initiated in Tavush region, Yerevan city, and other regions due to manifest hooligan acts committed during roadblocks, intentional property damage, physical intervention, interference with the lawful service activities of police officers, incitement to hatred, public calls for violence, hooliganism with the use of a knife, obstruction of journalists' professional activities, illegal possession of cold weapons by protesters, running over a journalist with a police vehicle, urging citizens to participate in gatherings, as well as disputes between participants of the protests and schoolchildren, illegal acquisition and possession of drugs and psychotropic substances, preparation for the usurpation of power through violence, inflicting bodily harm with a knife, hooliganism and damaging a police-owned bus tire, hooliganism in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mass disorders at the intersection of Baghramyan and Demirchyan streets in Yerevan, hooliganism committed with the use of information technologies, and other cases.

Within the framework of these proceedings, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against a total of 58 individuals. Among them:

• 28 individuals were charged under the second part of Article 297 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (hooliganism in a group);
• 17 individuals were charged under the second part of Article 236 (material inducement to participate in a gathering);
• 3 individuals were charged under the third part of Article 452 (interference with the lawful service or political activities of an official through violence);
• 2 individuals were charged under the third part of Article 297 (hooliganism committed using a weapon or item prepared for inflicting bodily harm);
• 2 individuals were charged under the third part of Article 330 (public calls for violence using publicly displayed works, mass media, or information and communication technologies, and public justification or promotion of such violence);
• 1 individual was charged under the first part of Article 297 (hooliganism);
• 1 individual was charged under the second part of Article 297 (hooliganism through the use of information and communication technologies);
• 1 individual was charged under the third part of Article 329 (hateful, discriminatory, intolerant, or hostile public speech using publicly displayed works, mass media, or information and communication technologies);
• 1 individual was charged under the first part of Article 334 (illegal carrying of a firearm, gas gun, air pressure gun, cold or throwing weapon);
• 1 individual was charged under the first part of Article 419 (preparation for usurpation of power);
• 1 individual was charged under the first part of Article 327 (participation in mass disorders).

For 29 of the accused, detention has been chosen as a precautionary measure, 10 face home arrest, 14 are subject to a restriction on leaving, and 1 is under educational supervision. A decision has been handed down to the police to arrest 3 individuals regarding the issue of detention.

6 criminal proceedings involving 16 individuals have been sent to the court with an accusatory conclusion. Among them:

• 4 criminal proceedings regarding 14 individuals for hooliganism in a group;
• 2 criminal proceedings against 2 individuals for interference with the lawful service activities of an official, in this case a police officer through violence.

One criminal proceeding has been terminated, while investigations on the others continue.

Notice: The person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia with the court's final judgment.