Plain-clothed policemen provoked scuffle at "Million Mask March" in Yerevan, witnesses testify

In Yerevan, during the court hearing of the case against participants of the protest action held at Freedom Square on November 5, 2013, one of the policemen, who was recognized to be a victim, has admitted that he wore civilian clothes while on duty during the protest action. Several witnesses questioned by the court testified that plain-clothed policemen provoked a scuffle.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 5, 2013, Yerevan hosted the "Million Mask March". After the protesters entered into a confrontation with the police, Shant Arutyunyan, the leader of the "Tsegakron" Party, and 19 other protesters were detained. Of them, 14 persons were then charged with resisting law enforcers with use of violence. On March 31, the charge was changed to the article on disorderly conduct.

In his testimony given at the court session on August 6, the witness Artavazd Antonyan noted that he saw policemen provoking a fight with activists. He also saw a policeman pushing a female journalist.

The witness Vaagn Minasyan testified that he "never heard any of the protesters call to beat up policemen." According to his story, on the contrary, the people standing on the sidewalk were expressing their indignation about the fact that the policemen were beating the activists.

Karen Arutyunyan, another witness, testified at the court hearing that he saw policemen beating activists. According to his story, after the first scuffle, activists wanted to step back in order to avoid the conflict; however, policemen ran after them and dragged them back.

The next court session is scheduled for August 8.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.