Video Released by Investigative Committee Captures Clash Involving Police Patrols

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has released footage of an altercation involving police patrols following an incident reported by the Arabkir division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Armenia. The report details an instance in which a citizen allegedly used violence against patrol officers and obstructed their official duties on H. Hakobyan Street in Yerevan.

An investigation was initiated under Part 3 of Article 452 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The inquiry revealed that on August 1, 2024, at approximately 16:10, two police officers were on duty near the Mergelyan Institute on H. Hakobyan Street when they noticed a Jeep Compass parked in violation of regulations and called for the driver via loudspeaker.

The driver, identified as 27-year-old A. Yeritsyan, approached the officers and claimed that he was not the owner of the vehicle and did not have the keys on him. The officers asked him to bring the driver closer to relocate the vehicle. Another individual, allegedly coming to move the car, managed to do so without the keys.

Suspicion arose that Yeritsyan was exhibiting suspicious behavior in an attempt to evade administrative responsibility by concealing his ownership of the vehicle. When asked to approach the local police station, Yeritsyan refused. The officers attempted to arrest him, but he began striking one of the officers in the chest and head. In response, the officers used tear gas and detained him.

During a personal search, the keys and registration certificate of the vehicle were found on Yeritsyan. He was subsequently arrested on the same day under suspicion of having committed the offense. He confirmed in his testimony that he was detained by only two police officers.

The content from nearby surveillance cameras has been confiscated and will be reviewed. The patrol service of the MIA has been requested to provide recordings from the incident involving the officers and their service vehicle. The pre-investigation continues.

On August 2, the Investigative Committee received a report of alleged violence inflicted upon Yeritsyan by the patrol service members during the incident, which resulted in serious injuries to him. A criminal case was initiated under Part 2, Clause 1 of Article 441 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, and an investigation is underway.