Armenia launches new criminal case over deadly events of 1 March

The Special Investigation Service of Armenia has launched a criminal case against high-ranking police officials over the deadly events which took place on 1 March 2008.

The Special Investigation Service believes that high-ranking officials falsified documents according to which security agencies received a message on 29 February 2008 that demonstrators on Freedom Square had weapons and explosive devices.

“High-ranking officials presented false evidence based on group interest in order to justify the actions of the police and to hide their illegal actions and avoid responsibility. Criminal cases have been launched over the events of 1-2 March in Yerevan in accordance with articles ‘Abuse of Official Authority’, ‘Abuse of Office’ and ‘Forgery’,” announced the Special Investigation Service.

The second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, is also a suspect in the case.

• What is Armenia’s second president being accused of? Why has he been arrested and now released?

It was reported earlier that Kocharyan intends to leave the country for Germany where he will undergo an annual medical check-up. However, his passport remains with law enforcement agencies.

“As of now, Kocharyan is in Armenia. He intends to go to Germany, but there is a judicial ban [on his leaving] put in place by the investigation. The defence is attempting to eliminate these obstacles,” said Kocharyan’s lawyer Aram Orbelyan.