Ex deputy police chief charged with illegal use of flash bang grenades during protest rallies

Former deputy police chief, commander of the Armenian police troops Levon Yeranosyan has been charged with the 2d and 3d parts of the Article 309 of the Criminal Code.

Special Investigation Service press office reports that he has carried out deliberate actions with the use of special means exceeding his authorities and resulting in serious violation of people’s rights and legal interests and causing grave consequences by negligence.

According to the charges, not having special qualification and authority to acquire and apply special means, “Zarya” flash bang grenades in particular, Yeranosyan violated the allowed standards of keeping 2.5 meter distance between people and applied 4 "Zarya” flash bang grenades during the protest rally on Baghramyan avenue on April 16 at about 3 p.m. as a result of which 40 participants of the protest rally received body injuries of different degrees, including grave and medium grave. Six servicemen of police troops also received injuries as a result of application of special means by Levon Yeranosyan.

Besides, on April 22, 2018 at about 2 p.m. Yeranosyan violated the same criteria on Artsakh Avenue and applied 4  “Zarya” flash bang grenades as a result of which 6 protestors received body injuries.

Signature bond on not leaving the country has been applied toward Levon Yeranosyan.

Investigation is underway.