Investigation into Individuals Organizing Disturbances in Syunik

The head of the security department of one of the companies operating in the Syunik region, having received prior notice of the visit of the Prime Minister of Armenia scheduled for April 21, 2021, used his official authority and influence on April 20 to create obstacles. He sent a voice message to an employee of the company, emphasizing the preparation of hooligan actions planned by them in connection with the Prime Minister's visit.

During the visits of the Prime Minister to Agarak and then to Meghri on April 21, 2021, A.G. attempted to realize his criminal intent, inciting dissatisfaction and intolerance towards state bodies and officials among the population, justifying illegal activities that disrupt public order, increasing the number of participants, instilling a determination among them to commit acts of violence, destruction of property, and other illegal acts, and provoking those involved to more aggressive actions with the aim of transforming the aforementioned illegal actions into mass disturbances. He made prior agreements with the head of another department of the company to ensure the live broadcast of organized illegal activities occurring during the events through a journalist and operator from a media outlet.

The operator of the media outlet, while ensuring live broadcasting, did not cover the details of the official visit, but instead focused on the illegal actions, accompanying them with offensive expressions towards officials, aiming to involve the public in the ongoing illegal activities.

During this period, A.G. organized a group of individuals to commit hooliganism, which manifested through the following actions: a group of individuals deliberately grossly violated public order, demonstrating a contemptuous attitude towards moral norms, publicly uttering sexual slurs and offensive expressions, showing open disrespect and blatant disdain for residents of adjacent buildings, employees of public significance objects, and numerous individuals who attended the meeting and followed the live broadcast. They disregarded the legal demands of law enforcement representatives, who are tasked with maintaining public order, and instead shoved, pulled, and struck them, which was also accompanied by damage to others' property.

Specifically, during the acts of hooliganism, they damaged the front door of the vehicle driven by the security personnel of the Prime Minister, ripped the clothing of the head and an employee of the State Protection Service, and tore away a police officer's epaulet, damaging his uniform, which disrupted public tranquility and the smooth operation of transport. The lawful and stable behavior expected in public places was not maintained, daily activities of individuals were disrupted, and the movement and meeting of the Prime Minister with the population were obstructed.

In addition, at the organization of A.G., more than twenty individuals gathered in an area near the Goris-Kapan highway, where representatives from several villages of the Goris community also arrived under the instructions of M.H. Within the framework of a general agreement, with the intention of grossly violating public order during the Prime Minister's transit through that area, instructions were given to those gathered to provide them with food and set up tables on the hillside near the Goris-Kapan highway, aiming to ensure they would not leave the area for several hours. Furthermore, to stir up the interest of those present in committing a crime, alcohol was offered to them, instilling a determination to carry out hooligan actions.

Continuing their criminal actions aimed at organizing and leading hooliganism, M.H. and H.A. instructed those present to block the road during the passage of the Prime Minister's motorcade, hindering its movement. Additionally, under the organization of M.H. and H.A., eggs were gathered and distributed to the assembled individuals with the intention of throwing them at the motorcade assisting the Prime Minister. Afterwards, M.H. instructed them to throw eggs at the vehicles in the motorcade.

Subsequently, M.H. and H.A. led the commission of the crime, and under their instructions, most of the hooliganism participants gathered at the edge of the road leading to Goris. During the passage of the Prime Minister and accompanying guests from Kapan to Goris, near the village of Shurnukh, the participants in hooliganism, including M.H., openly demonstrated disrespect and blatant disdain towards residents of the village and numerous individuals following the live broadcast of the event, publicly uttering sexual slurs and offensive expressions. They disregarded the legal demands of law enforcement representatives and intentionally threw eggs at state property vehicles, including the vehicle serving the Prime Minister, which was also filmed by an employee of the company's security department and subsequently posted and circulated online.

As a result, A.G. was unable to complete the crime due to the restrained and balanced behavior exhibited by law enforcement officers present on site, as well as the organized, provocative nature of the illegal actions, which did not escalate into mass disturbances due to the broad public's demonstrated lawful behavior and refusal to participate in illegal actions.

A public criminal prosecution has been initiated against A.G. under part 1 of Articles 44-46-327 of the Criminal Code (attempting to organize mass disturbances), and against Z.T., A.G., and A.M. under part 1 of Article 46-44-327 (attempting to assist in organizing mass disturbances). Measures of restraint in the form of bail and a prohibition on leaving were applied against A.G., Z.T., and A.G., while A.M. faced only a prohibition on leaving. The criminal proceedings regarding the four individuals has been submitted to the supervising prosecutor with an accusatory conclusion.