Hooliganism and Violence Against Police Reported in Kotayk Region, Six Arrested

On July 19, 2024, a report was received regarding a group of individuals who met on the road from the village of Mayakovsky to Dzoraghbyur in the Kotayk region to clarify some issues around 20:10 on July 18, 2024. It was noted that they might be armed.

To clarify the circumstances mentioned in the report, an operational group of the Police went to the site where they discovered a large gathering of people who, inebriated, were involved in a loud argument and shouting obscenities.

The police officers, presenting themselves in accordance with the law, issued a legal order to cease the anti-social and immoral behavior, however, these individuals not only refused to comply with the legal demands but also began to insult and attack the police officers, hitting and pulling them.

As a result, the police attempted to arrest those suspected of committing a crime based on immediate evidence, but the individuals continued to strike and pull at the police officers. One of the assailants attempted to flee the scene in a "VAZ 2121" vehicle, and when a police officer tried to prevent this, the driver allegedly drove off, dragging the police officer with the vehicle.

Injuries were inflicted on the police officers as a result of the blows from the participants in the conflict, two of whom were hospitalized. Six individuals who committed violence against police officers were taken from the scene to a police station.

Based on the direct suspicion of committing a crime, these six individuals have been arrested. It has been established that, in addition to these individuals, others also struck police employees during the confrontation.

A criminal case has been initiated at the Abovyan Investigative Division of the Kotayk Regional Investigative Committee under Article 335, Part 1, Article 297, Part 2, Clause 1, and Article 452, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code, with the investigation assigned to an investigative group.

During the investigation, the crime scene was examined, leading to the discovery and seizure of wooden sticks, knives, and blood-like traces, from which samples were taken. Several individuals have been interrogated, and the sobriety of the arrested individuals has been verified. Expert examinations have been appointed to clarify significant circumstances of the criminal case.

The investigation is ongoing. Measures are being taken to clarify the circumstances of the incident, identify other individuals involved, present them to the prosecuting body, and provide appropriate legal assessments. The relevant division of the police has been given directives.

Notice: The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty by a legally binding court decision in accordance with the RA Criminal Procedure Code.