22:00, 17 July 2009

Armenia: criminal case initiated against policemen who opened fire at opposition rally

Armenia, Yerevan. Opposition Rally, Feb 16, 2008. Photo by www.flickr.com/photos/totemik, Tatevik Hovhannisyan

The Special Investigatory Service (SIS) of Armenia has opened a criminal case against the policemen who used the special means named "Cheryomukha-7" during dispersal of peaceful oppositional rally on March 1 last year in Yerevan. Journalists were informed about it by Sona Truzyan, press secretary of the State Office of Public Prosecutor of Armenia.

The criminal case was initiated under Article 373 of the Criminal Code "Violation of rules of handling firearms, ammunition and objects, materials and substances of increased hazard for surrounding persons". Besides, another criminal case was opened on the basis of the materials delivered to the Prosecutor's Office by the temporary parliamentary commission for studying the events on March 1. These materials comprise video records of the events, showing policemen, armed with truncheons and shields, chasing and beating people in the streets of Yerevan.

The SIS was ordered to open a criminal case on use of "Cheryomukha-7" by Public Prosecutor Koryun Piloyan, who is in charge of supervising the legality of investigation.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan

Source: CK correspondent