On 14 July 2015, the RA Prosecutor General’s Office received the letter from “No to Plunder!” Civil Initiative. The authors of the initiative had asked the prosecution to initiate a criminal case based on the facts indicated in the letter and to conduct proper procedural management and prosecutorial supervision over the preliminary investigation, give legal assessment to the actions of the police and to punish the [perpetrators. Informs the RA Prosecutor General’s office.
The Prosecutor General’s Office reports that the fact indicated in the letter: that is the actions of the police and persons conduction special public service aimed to stop the demonstration and the sit-in strike organized by the “No to Plunder” Initiative on 23 June, when they exceeded the scope of their powers, as well as performing acts of violence against the participants of the rally and journalists who were carrying out their professional duties and covering the developments in Baghramyan Avenue, the Liberty Square and the adjacent areas, causing them bodily injuries, intentional y damaging their professional equipment, the publications on these developments and the video materials as well as the letter of the president of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, have been sent to the Special Investigation Department of Especially Important cases of the RA Prosecutor General’s Office Investigation Service on 24 June to initiate a corresponding procedure.
Considering the fact that the prepared materials seemingly contain features of offenses allegedly committed by the persons carrying out alleged special services, which violate the requirements of Article 164, Part 2; 185, Part 1 and 309 Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code, a criminal case was initiated on 2 July.
1. Pursuant to Article 309, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (Actions willfully committed by an official which obviously exceed his authorities and caused essential damage to the rights of citizens, organizations, state or legal interests, committed with violence, weapons, or special measures).
2. Pursuant to Article 164, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code (Hindrance to the legal professional activities of a journalist, or forcing the journalist to disseminate information or not to disseminate information, committed by an official abusing one’s official position)․
3. Pursuant to Article 185, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (Willful destruction or spoilage of somebody’s property, which caused significant damage)․
The RA Prosecutor general’s Office considering that a criminal case has already been initiated on the facts indicated in the letter of “No to Plunder!” civil Initiative, however has sent the mentioned letter to the preliminary investigation body to undertake relevant actions.
The preliminary investigation on the initiated criminal case is conducted by the Special Investigation Service.
