Details of incident at parliament building emerge, criminal case opened

In connection with the illegal intrusion into the grounds of Armenia’s national Assembly today, the Special Investigation Service has opened a criminal case under Article 316 (violence against a representative of authorities) of the RA Criminal Code.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said that around 2:50 pm on 22 March 2013 citizen V. Galstian, ignoring the warnings of security guards, offered resistance and illegally entered the grounds of the RA National Assembly. He then made an attempt to enter the parliament’s administrative building, threatening those present with a knife.

He didn’t comply with the lawful demands of security guards, nor did he stop his illegal actions after a warning shot was fired. In order to stop the citizen and render him harmless, a security guard fired at him, wounding him in the left thigh. The knife was seized, and the citizen was hospitalized.

As a result of operative measures, it became known that the man who intruded into the grounds of the parliament was V. Galstian, 25, a resident of the city of Masis. According to preliminary information, he has two previous convictions.

A group of investigators of the Special Investigation Service lead by SIS Deputy Chief Armen Nadirian arrived at the scene. The necessary investigation measures were taken. Footage of security cameras at the Armenian parliament will be examined, after which footage will also be released to the public.

V. Galstian is in Yerevan hospital No 1 where he received treatment. He is said to be in stable condition.