Illegal Entry into Military Base, Violence Against Soldiers

Following a report from the Sisian Police Department, the Third Garrison Investigation Division of the Military Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal proceedings on July 8, 2024, under Articles 195 (parts 2.1, 5, and 9), 297 (part 3), and 468 (part 2) of the Armenian Criminal Code. During immediate investigative and other necessary actions, factual data was obtained regarding an incident that occurred on July 7, 2024, around 21:30.

A group of civilians, disregarding the command's prohibition and the requests of the checkpoint officer and the unit's duty officer, unlawfully entered the territory of the Armenian Ministry of Defense’s military unit in order to clarify a service-related issue concerning their acquaintance who was serving in the unit.

After being ordered to leave the military premise by the duty officer, they immediately engaged in an argument with a battalion officer and a contract soldier regarding the same issue right in front of the gates. This resulted in violence against the soldiers, during which they ignored the rules of coexistence and interfered with the normal functioning of the military unit as stipulated in the daily schedule, inflicting various bodily injuries on the mentioned soldiers. Additionally, one of the civilians fired a shot into the air with a gas pistol.

Based on sufficient evidence gathered, charges have been brought against three residents of Sisian for committing the described criminal acts under Article 468 (part 2) and Article 195 (parts 2.1 and 5) and Article 297 (part 3) of the Criminal Code. The investigator has submitted motions to the court for the selection of detention as a preventive measure, which have been granted.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia strongly warns against illegally entering military bases or other specially protected military areas, interfering in any manner with the activities of military personnel, or attempting any prohibited actions. In such cases, the Investigative Committee will use all legal means to hold individuals who commit such acts criminally responsible.

Notification: A person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia by a legally effective court decision.