In the proceedings of the investigator of the RA Special Investigation Service, 24 demonstrators were arrested in accordance with Article 225 (1 and 2) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, 225-1, part 1 of the Criminal Code on Mass Disorder and Illegal Assemblies, organizing, holding and participating in violent gatherings, as well as on suspicion of violence during mass disorders.
Thus, according to the criminal case, the above-mentioned persons, ignoring the requirements of the RA Law “On Freedom of Assembly”, actively participated in the process since 13 April 2018: illegal meetings, including marches, blocking the entrances of the buildings of the state bodies, broke into the buildings of special protection, breaching their normal work for a long time and endangering public safety.
Despite repeated information and warnings by the police, the participants continued their illegal activities, periodically blocked a number of avenues and streets, hindered the normal functioning of state and other structures, organized mass disorders and participated in violence against police officers and other individuals. As a result of these mass disorders, dozens of people have received physical and property damage, public security has been endangered.
24 of the demonstrators were detained by investigators of the Investigative Group of the RA Special Investigation Service, on suspicion of committing the above-mentioned criminal acts.
In addition, NA deputies Nikol Pashinyan, Sasun Mikayelyan, Ararat Mirzoyan, who organize and hold illegal gatherings in Yerevan since 13 April, 2018 are among the detained.
As it has already been informed, investigators of the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Armenia arrested Tigran Mazmanyan, Armen Grigoryan and David Sanasaryan for the organizers of illegal assemblies. Gor Mirzoyan, Erik Khachatryan, Haykaram Mnatsakanyan and Gevorg Manukyan were arrested on suspicion of participating in unsanctioned gatherings and using violence during mass disorders.
As of 22 April, 2018, three of the detainees are already in custody and the others are still suspects.
Arrest as a preventive measure has been applied against T. Mazmanyan and G Mirzoyan. The measure of restraint on control was applied against Khachatryan. Taking into account the fact that the latter is underage, the obligation to control his proper behavior is put on the parent.
The Special Investigative Service of the Republic of Armenia informs that the necessary investigative and other criminal-procedural actions are underway, as well as operative-investigative measures are undertaken to detect and prosecute other persons who committed acts of violence and other illegal actions during the above mentioned mass disorder.
The preliminary investigation is ongoing.
Notification: a person that is suspected or accused of an alleged crime, is considered innocent until his/her guilt is proved by a court judgment that has come into legal effect pursuant to the procedure determined by RA Criminal Procedure Code.
