Arrests, Chaos, and Injuries: Macan's Concert in Yerevan

The concert of Macan, A.V.G, and Jakone at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex was marred by numerous incidents. Even before it began, there were violations of people's rights. Auroranews received numerous calls from citizens reporting a disgraceful situation in terms of organization. For instance, several people entered with one QR code, there were even free QR codes, duplicate QR codes, and tickets sold multiple times, as well as counterfeit tickets made through editing software. All of this led to issues inside the venue.

People had been there since 5:30 PM, while the concert was supposed to start at 8:30 PM. A crowd surge began near the doors, and people reported feeling unwell, with cases of fainting occurring. Citizens highlighted that it can be confidently said that the concert organizer, Stage Muse, has seriously failed in executing organizational tasks. Once the hall was full, they closed the doors. Foreign citizens who had traveled to Yerevan for the concert were unable to enter.

Some individuals, including those who had purchased expensive tickets, left in disappointment without ever getting inside. Some parents reported that minor children were crying, it was hard to breathe, the doors were closed, there was a crowd surge, and the concert had started inside, preventing people from entering. After some time, the artists arriving from abroad became aware of the disgraceful situation and called on security staff from the stage to open the doors, so people could enter and watch the concert. However, there was hardly any space left inside due to counterfeit tickets and mismanagement by the organizers.

Lawyer Gohar Meloyan addressed representatives of law enforcement during a live broadcast on Facebook, informing them that the doors at the Sports and Concert Complex, where the concert was taking place, were locked, and people were not allowed inside. He added that the concert organizer was Stage Muse, which was responsible for the entire event. Auroranews spoke with lawyer Meloyan, who told us that many teenagers and minors were crying, disputes were occurring, and a chaotic situation prevailed. “People had bought tickets but had no opportunity to enter and watch the concert. There were numerous rights violations related to this area, and it was a disgraceful situation,” said Meloyan.

He noted that he had entered the venue (Sports and Concert Complex) and requested the police to call in additional forces to calm the situation. According to Meloyan, after speaking with law enforcement, he noticed that new additional forces were brought in when previously there had only been a few police officers.

Meloyan mentioned that he would pursue this matter within the legal framework, and they would file a lawsuit against Stage Muse as he had received hundreds of messages regarding the situation.

Auroranews also contacted the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Narek Sargsyan. He confirmed that there were around 100 police officers at the concert of Macan, A.V.G, and Jakone, ensuring public order. Sargsyan also mentioned that there are four individuals who have been arrested on suspicion of committing a public offense. Auroranews reached out to Ruben Grigoryan, director of the Ambulance Service, who reported that there had been a total of 7 calls, one of which involved hospitalization due to a dislocation of the ankle joint. There were also instances of people feeling unwell, including those who complained of headaches.