On 2 February, the judicial investigation in the case of the former Commander of the Police Forces, former Deputy Chief of the Police, Lieutenant General Levon Yeranosyan continued at the “Avan” seat of the Court of General Jurisdiction of the city of Yerevan. Judge Harutyun Manukyan presided over the session.
According to the indictment, Levon Yeranosyan, using special measures, deliberately performed such actions that clearly went beyond the scope of his authority and caused significant damage to the rights and legal interests of citizens, as well as caused serious consequences through negligence.
Yeranosyan was charged with Points 2 and 3 of part 1 of article 309 of the Criminal Code of Armenia and the signature not to leave was chosen as a measure of restraint against him. The actions attributed to Yeranosyan took place during the mass protests of 16 April and 22 April, 2018. He does not accept the charge.
According to Iravaban.net, during today’s court session, the judge published the pre-trial statements of 4 victims and 4 witnesses.
On 16 April, 2018, victim Artyom Asryan went to Baghramyan Avenue to participate in peaceful demonstrations. He noted that he was standing near Pashinyan, in front of the barbed wire. When Pashinyan tried to cross the barbed wire, he was behind Pashinyan, the first explosion took place in the area to their left. The victim received injuries on his left leg and back, immediately after that he retreated to the “Niva” car parked on the left side of the road, on which people were sitting. Artyom Asryan asked them to get off the car.
During that time, another explosion took place, as a result of which the victim was injured in the right thigh area. While reading the conclusion of the forensic examination, he noticed that nothing was mentioned about the injury of the left leg.
Victim Ani Keshishyan stated in her testimony that in April 2018 she was in Baghramyan Avenue as a journalist of “168 Zam” News. When Nikol Pashinyan tried to cross the barbed wire, she was about 1.5 meters away from him and filmed what was happening. He lost sight and hearing at the moment during the explosion. This was followed by several more explosions, as a result of which Keshishyan was not injured, but those present noticed that she was not feeling well, and they took her to medical care. It was found that the journalist’s neck and thigh were damaged as a result of the explosion.
Victim Narek Serobyan was a soldier of the police forces, during the events of April 2018, they were provided personal protective equipment. About 5 minutes after he was stationed near the barbed wire, an explosion thundered on his left side, as a result of which he lost consciousness, hearing and vision. Serobyan got out of the line and approached the paramedic. He testified that his friend, Armen Baghdasaryan, was also injured and they were taken to “Nairi” Medical Center.
He is sure that he got injured during the explosions at that time, because there were no explosions before that.
Victim Greta Aslanyan was injured at the intersection of Artsakh-Erebuni streets. At that time, a car stopped next to Pashinyan, and the policemen put Nikol Pashinyan in it and took him away. The participants of the march tried to obstruct the actions of the police and that was when special measures were used. She felt pains in the right lumbar region.
Witness V. Gevorgyan was a soldier of the Police Forces and was on duty in Baghramyan Avenue. A Deputy Commander of one of the military units approached them and informed that 2 agents that use special measures should go to the section of Baghramyan Avenue where the police had built a barrier to prevent the advance of the protesters. During that time, a clash took place between the protesters and the police, after which the protesters broke through the barricade and moved forward. Then the protesters tried to cross the barbed wire. At that time, Gevorgyan was standing next to Levon Yeranosyan, who ordered to use special measures. Hearing the order, one of the officers, Araz Avetisyan, took out the sonic grenade from his bag to use it, but Yeranosyan took the grenade and personally threw it in the direction of the protesters.
The witness said that after that, Levon Yeranosyan ordered to use a “Smerch” special light-sound device. Since the officers had left the machine gun and the grenade launcher in the car, he went, took it and opened fire at a certain distance from the protesters near the National Assembly building.
On 22 April, according to the order given to him, the latter went to the intersection of Erebuni-Artsakh streets. They received an order to close the intersection so that the protesters could not go to Erebuni Street. Then they noticed Pashinyan with the moving procession, during which the police put him in the car and drove away. After that, confusion began. The commander ordered him to sit in a combat vehicle and use a special means of “Smerch” just from the vehicle. At that time, sound grenades were used. After not receiving the order, he got out of the car, moved towards the barrier, where he noticed Levon Yeranosyan, he had a light grenade in his hand. The latter went to the back of the “Ideal” store, where he threw the grenade in a neutral place away from people.
The witness also noted that there was a need to use special measures on Artsakh Avenue, because the protesters resisted the police in every possible way. “It would not be possible to arrest Nikol Pashinyan if special measure was not used.”
Witness Yerjanik Yeranosyan, who was also a soldier of the police forces, was always by Levon Yeranosyan’s side during incidents in Baghramyan and Artsakh Avenues. He informed that Yeranosyan was hit with a stone during the clash between the police and the protesters. “During that time, I tyried to stay by his side and protect him if necessary.”
After the use of sound grenades, the situation calmed down. The witness saw one case of Levon Yeranosyan using a special measure in Baghramyan Avenue. He was not attentive during the events that took place on Artsakh Avenue.
Witness Tigran Mantashyan was the commander of one of the companies of the police forces. During that time, he was also by Levon Yeranosyan’s side and walked with him. The witness confirmed that Yeranosyan used a special measure in Baghramyan Avenue. He threw one of the grenades in the direction of the “Niva” car, and another grenade towards the left side of the road, from where stones were thrown in their direction. At that time Levon Yeranosyan was hit with a brick, after which he threw another grenade.
In Artsakh Avenue, the witness saw that Yeranosyan threw 1-2 grenades in the direction of the protesters. “Yeranosyan took the grenades from a masked officer whom I do not know.”
Witness Grigor Avetisyan, was also the commander of one of the companies of the police forces. The latter did not take part in the events that took place on Baghramyan Avenue, as he received inpatient treatment at “Erebuni” Medical Center. He participated in the events that took place at the intersection of Artsakh-Erebuni streets. His subordinates were not armed, except for special light and noise devices. Levon Yeranosyan led all the operations of the police forces.
When the demonstrators led by Pashinyan approached the barrier, a commotion started and at that time Levon Yeranosyan ordered him to advance the army to prevent the people from coming forward. Then explosions were heard, it became known that special light and noise devices were used. “After the first explosion, the protesters retreated. It was followed by 4 more explosions.”
Grigor Avetisyan stated that Levon Yeranosyan had ordered to use special measures and he himself used special measures, which he learned about from Hakob Mesropyan, from whom Yeranosyan took the grenades.
Hakob Mesropyan also informed Avetisyan that Yeranosyan used 5 “Zarya” sound grenades as well.
The judge announced that he considers the interrogations finished. The next procedural step is the questioning of the defendant.
Levon Yeranosyan’s lawyer, Tigran Safaryan, said that they have not yet decided whether Levon Yeranosyan will testify in court or not. “I would ask you to address the issue as soon as the next court session begins.”
The session was adjourned and scheduled for 23 February.
Yevgenya Hambardzumyan
