Details on the Hooliganism Incident by Protest Participants in Noyemberyan

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has reported significant details regarding the hooliganism incident that occurred during a protest in Noyemberyan, following the investigation conducted by the General Directorate of Investigations of General Nature and Electoral Crimes.

On April 23, 2024, at around 11:00 AM, numerous citizens from Tavush region and various places in Armenia gathered on Yerevan Street in the Noyemberyan community due to grievances regarding border demarcation and delimitation issues raised by state authorities. They obstructed the normal flow of traffic by blocking a segment of the interstate road for an extended period. During this protest, an individual identified as Y.H. had arrived at the scene with some acquaintances from Tavush.

During the protest, a disagreement erupted between Y.H.'s friend and persons blocking the road regarding the issue of unblocking the passage. At this time, one of the protest participants, accompanied by his son and unidentified individuals, displayed an overtly contemptuous attitude towards legal and moral norms, aiming to assert their supposed superiority and instill fear among those present. They engaged in violence and committed hooliganism, during which one protest participant struck Y.H., forcing him to leave.

Unwilling to tolerate the incident, Y.H. returned to the gathering at around 4:00 PM with individuals not yet identified and, showing blatant disregard for legal and moral norms, openly violated the rules of coexistence. They disrupted public peace and ignored the legal demands of law enforcement officers present at the scene, leading to verbal insults and indecent remarks directed at the attendees, resulting in a brawl.

The actions of those involved in the incident ceased following preventive measures taken by various units of the Armenian Police. Based on the events, criminal proceedings have been initiated and merged. Sufficient evidence gathered during the pre-trial investigation led to Y.H. being charged under Article 297, Part 2, Clause 1 of the Armenian Criminal Code. The pre-trial investigation in this case has concluded, and the material was sent to the supervising prosecutor for confirmation of the indictment and referral to court.

During the investigation, the identities of several individuals involved in the hooliganism were established, and their actions during the hooliganism incidents were clarified. Based on the acquired factual data, five individuals participating in the incident have been charged under Article 297, Part 2, Clause 1 of the Armenian Criminal Code. Previously, their materials were separated from the case files and sent to court with an indictment.