Preliminary investigation of the criminal case initiated on the incidents that took place in the crossroad of Heratsi and Koryun Streets on April 16, 2018, in Noragavit district on April 23, on disorders that took place in Erebuni administrative district on April 22, as well as on hooliganism in the crossroad of Hayanist and Hovtashat of Ararat province was completed on 11 defendants in the Division of Investigation of Grave Crimes of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Instigative Committee.

It was earlier informed that the criminal cases initiated on the mentioned 4 cases, as prescribed by RA Criminal Procedure Code, were joint in one proceeding preliminary investigation of which was conducted in Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee.

In the result of investigatory actions of great volume as well as operative-searching measures a number of circumstances of the incidents were found out, some of those having committed the alleged crime were identified. 16 persons and Hayanist community were found the injured party, charge was pressed against 11 persons.

Through preliminary investigation it was particularly found out that on April 16, 2018 at about 10:10 the brother of Masis Mayor G. Hambardzumyan, with the purpose of breaching public order roughly, together with a group of people showed obvious disrespect towards public, out of hooliganism in the crossroad of Heratsi and Koryun Streets scolded the protestors who had blocked the crossroad, used violence against those involved in the protest.

Through investigation data were obtained on the allegation that G. Hambardzumyan was also involved in the incident that took place on April 22 in the crossroad of Hayanist and Hovtashat of Ararat province.

Particularly, in the crossroad of Hayanist and Hovtashat of Ararat province showing obvious disrespect, in order to prevent the protestors to go to Republic Square of Yerevan G. Hambardzumyan with a group of people blocked the road to Yerevan for a long time with cars without plate numbers during which D. Hambardzumyan, D. Hambardzumyan, as well as a group of people scolded the protestors, used violence against them.  

During it D. Hambardzumyan fired shots from the car to peaceful protestors putting public safety in danger, at the same time creating sphere of fear.

Besides, according to data obtained through investigation, D. Hambardzumyan together with his brother G. Hambardzumyan hit one of the protestors with fists and feet, as well as damaged a protestor's car of «Nissan» make. A group of people hit other protestors with blackjacks and other items, damaged  cars of «CHEVROLET AVEO 1.2» make which belonged to Hayanist community and car of «VAZ 2107» make of a resident of Ararat province causing the community and the citizen pecuniary damage.

During pretrial proceeding data were also obtained that on the next day – on April 23, 2018 from 16:30 to 17:00 three persons involved in the mentioned disorders together with a group of people used violence in Noragavit district of Yerevan, as well.

Particularly, showing obvious disrespect towards public they prohibited the citizens to express their free will, scolded and threatened , hit one of the protestors with fists, as well as damaged the latter's car of «Mazda» make.  

On the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against Masis Mayor Davit Hambardzumyan according to the Part 2 of the Article 225 and the Part 4 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code, against Gor Hambardzumyan – according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 258 and the Part 4 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code. Charge was pressed against 6 persons according to the Part 2 of the Article 225 of RA Criminal Code, against 1 - according to the Part 2 of the Article 225 and the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code, against two more persons – according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code.

Preliminary investigation on the mentioned defendants was completed and the criminal case with the bill of indictment was sent to prosecutor supervising the legality of preliminary investigation.

Preliminary investigation on two more defendants, organizer of mass disorders and others involved in incidents is ongoing.

Necessary measures are taken to find others involved in the incidents and to give appropriate criminal legal assessment to their actions.


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