Armenia’s Special Investigation Service to Take on Investigation Against 7 Opposition Youth

The criminal case against the Armenian National Congress activists detained on Aug. 9 and arrested a day later was sent to Armenia’s Special Investigation Service on Sept. 16 to continue the investigation.

Recall, the 7 youth were detained after an incident between them and police which took place on Aug. 9 near Yerevan’s Swan Lake. The next day they were arrested, while four — Areg and Vahagn Gevorgyan, David Kiramijyan and Sahak Muradyan — were released on Aug. 12 and then two more — Artak Karapetyan and Sargis Gevorgyan — were released later. The only one still in detention is Tigran Araqelyan.

He and Artak Karapetyan are charged with violence against a representative of the authorities (RA Criminal Code Article 316), while  Areg Gevorgyan, Sahak Muradyan, David Kiramijyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and Vahagn Gevorgyan are charged with hooliganism (RA Criminal Code Artice 258).

During the investigation, the accused testofoed that they were subject to abuse and violence by police officials. Thus, to ensure the objectivity and multilateral aspect of the case, the RA General Prosecutor’s Office sent the criminal case to the SIS, according to a statement issued by the RA General Prosecutor’s Office.