In the result of large-scale investigative and other procedural actions conducted within the criminal case investigated in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee a number of circumstances of hooliganism and violence against representatives of authorities committed during the RA Prime Minister’s visit to Syunik province paid on April 21, 2021 were found out.

Pursuant to factual data obtained through investigation on April 21, 2021 the head of Meghri community getting informed about the RA Prime Minister’s visit to Meghri and Agarak communities of Syunik province, for the purpose of rough breach of public order, with participation of a group of employees of the town hall, employees of a number of companies owned by him and his close friends, a number of residents of Meghri and Agarak communities organized and managed hooligan acts.

Particularly, when the RA Prime Minister tried to meet and communicate with the residents of the mentioned towns with live broadcast in the media the head of Meghri community coordinated the actions of those involved in hooliganism. As a result, the mentioned people showing obvious disrespect publicly scolded as well as obstructed the RA Prime Minister and the people accompanying him to meet the residents of the town. In the meantime those involved in hooliganism did not obey the legal demands of the law enforcement officers but showing resistance pushed, pulled and hit them.

On the same day the deputy head of Goris community, getting informed about the RA Prime Minister’s visit to Meghri and Agarak towns of Syunik province, the above-mentioned actions organized by the head of Meghri community as well as the RA Prime Minister’s return to Yerevan, for the purpose of rough breach of public order, with participation of a group of people organized and managed hooligan acts during which while the RA Prime Minister’s motorcade was moving they scolded, obstructed highway traffic and threw eggs towards the mentioned motorcade.

On the base of the obtained sufficient evidence charge was pressed against 19 people, against 9 of them – according to the Part 3 of the Article 258 and 10 of them – according to the Part 1 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code. Motions were submitted to court to choose detention as a pretrial measure against 8 of them.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.