Criminal case over hooliganism after events on Bagramian Avenue

The Office of Armenian Prosecutor General released a statement in connection with the recent events on Bagramian Street in Yerevan.

“At 7:30 pm June 22 a group of people organized a long unsanctioned rally and a march, followed by a sit-in on Bagramian Avenue in Yerevan, bringing the traffic to a standstill and preventing numerous citizens from exercising their right to freedom of movement and thus intentionally disrupting public order,” the statement says.

“Prosecutor’s Office of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun administrative districts opened a criminal case under Article 258 part 1 of the Criminal Law (hooliganism).

The criminal case was filed to Armenia’s Investigative Committee for preliminary investigation.

Reports of electronic media and video footages from the scene were examined and included in materials of the criminal case in order to find out the circumstances under which the event participants suffered injuries.

An investigative group of 20 investigators has been set by Investigative Committee.

The scene of the incident was examined. 40 people brought to police stations were interrogated by investigators of Investigative Committee, and several persons are being interrogated now. Forensic and other tests are scheduled to take place,” according to the statement.

As was reported, early Tuesday, June 23, police dispersed demonstrators who blocked the central Bagramian Avenue in Yerevan to protest a rise in electricity tariffs. Prior to dispersal, the police told demonstrators to leave Bagramian Avenue and return to Liberty Square so that traffic could resume. Over 200 people, including reporters, were taken to police stations. 25 people sought medical aid, the press service of Health Ministry reported.

Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company earlier submitted a bid to the Public Services Regulatory Commission about a rise in electricity tariffs. The parliamentary opposition considers it unfounded and serving the interests of that company. The current night-time tariff for the population is 31.85 drams per one KWh, the daytime tariff is 41.85 drams. The bid of ENA proposed raising the tariffs to 48 and 58 drams respectively. Yet the Commission satisfied the bid of ENA only partially on June 17. The tariffs in Armenia will increase by 6.93 drams, and not by 17 drams.

The Commission’s decision will take force on August 1, 2015. On June 19 the civic initiative ‘No to Robbery’ staged a rally in Yerevan. The activists later decided to hold a 3-day sit-in in Yerevan’s Liberty Square.