In the result of investigatory and procedural actions of great volume conducted in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee circumstances of using violence against police officers during the protest in Ijevan were found out.

Pursuant to data obtained through investigation, on 17 July, 2019 beginning from 18:00 a group of people blocked the crossroad of Yerevanyan and Ijevanyan Streets of Ijevan of the interstate road of Armenia-Georgia in order to express their dissatisfaction related to toughening the fight against illegal tree felling thus hindering the normal course of traffic.

Not obeying the legal demands of the police officers to free the way, to stop the actions of hindering traffic some of the protestors damaged the tin cover at the bus stop, threw stones and broke the glass of the police car of “PAZ-32054” make, as well as the windshield of a truck of “Reno Premium” make caught in traffic jam, hit the police officers with hands, feet, stones and wood using violence not dangerous for their life and health. As a result, they sustained injuries of different gravities.

On the base of the obtained sufficient evidence charge was pressed against 20 people according to the Part 1 of the Article 316 (violence against a representative of authorities) of RA Criminal Code. Detention was used as a pretrial measure against 12 of them which later was replaced with mortgage, signature not to leave was chosen as a pretrial measure against 8.

Preliminary investigation on 20 defendants was completed and the criminal case with the bill of indictment was sent to prosecutor.

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