Public Criminal Proceedings Initiated Against Participants of Disturbances in Gyumri

According to reports, the Shirak Regional Investigative Department is conducting a pre-trial investigation initiated due to participation in mass disturbances, intervention in the lawful service or political activities of officials, and interference in the administration of justice or court proceedings. This was announced by the Investigative Committee.

During the pre-trial investigation, apparent factual data were obtained indicating that on October 20, 2025, near the administrative building of the Gyumri Municipality, a group of individuals gathered to obstruct conducting investigative actions by investigators related to a criminal case being examined by the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia. Their actions intervened in the investigation of the case and posed a public safety threat through mass disturbances.

Specifically, they issued calls to block the entrances to the administrative building of the municipality to prevent the transfer of arrested individuals and those present in the administrative building, damaged the tires of police service vehicles, as well as property of the municipality's administrative building. During this time, they used violence against police officers to interfere with their lawful service activities, threw flares and bottles at them, and directed offensive expressions toward the officers.

As part of the pre-trial investigation, 37 individuals have been arrested. Public criminal proceedings have been initiated against 19 individuals under the first part of Article 327 of the Criminal Code (participation in mass disturbances) and under the first point of part 2 of Article 486 (interference in the administration of justice or court proceedings by a group of individuals acting in collusion). Additionally, 10 individuals face charges under the first point of part 2 of Article 486 (interference in the administration of justice or court proceedings by a group of individuals acting in collusion) and the first part of Article 46-327 (instigation to participate in mass disturbances). The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.