SIS: Criminal case was instituted against former defense minister Mikael Harutyunyan in connection with March 1 events

ArmInfo. In connection with the investigation of the events from 1 to 2 March 2008 in Armenia, on June 3, a criminal case was instituted against the Minister of Defense and other persons for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order in Armenia from February 23 to March 1. This was reported by the press service of the Special Investigation Service.

According to the source, this case was attached to the case on the events of March 1. Based on the evidence, on July 3 it was decided to involve the former defense minister Mikael Harutyunyan in the case as accused.

It was found that on February 19, 2008, during the preparation and conduct of the presidential elections, falsifications were carried out which, according to the general public, were implemented by the supporters of the second president Robert Kocharyan and the presidential candidate Serzh Sargsyan, also violated 4 articlesfull of the Armenian Constitution - the basic principles electoral rights, as a result of which people were deprived of the opportunity to exercise their power through free elections. "Violations in the course of the elections, which were won by Serzh Sargsyan, caused wide dissatisfaction among society and on February 20 large-scale protest actions started on Freedom Square in Yerevan, which disturbed the then acting authorities.

After the statements of the police about the alleged illegality of these protest actions and attempts to stop them were not successful, the authorities, with the help of high-ranking officials, including Mikael Harutyunyan, took actions aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia.  Thus, Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan and other officials violated Article 8.2 of the Constitution of Armenia in 2008 (the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia ensure the security, protection and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, the inviolability of its borders, the Armed Forces observe neutrality in political matters and are under civil control). In addition, 13 part of Article 55 of the Constitution was violated, according to which - the President of the Republic declares martial law in case of aggression against the Republic, in case of immediate threat or declaration of war, he can declare general or partial mobilization, and also decide on the use of the Armed Forces.

Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan and other high-ranking officials, violating the Constitution, declared martial law, using armed forces in the political issue against peaceful demonstrators. In particular, on February 23, 2008, Hayrapetyan wrote a secret order on "Fulfilling the task set by the Supreme Commander of the Republic of Armenia," in which peaceful demonstrators were defined as "political forces destabilizing the situation and not recognizing the results of the presidential elections in the RA," and the entire Armed Forces staff was brought into barracks to ensure "normal development of the country." Officer groups were created, which were armed with various weapons. By order, the Armed Forces of Armenia created units with high mobility capable of effectively operating in difficult situations that were armed with firearms. These units were instructed to replenish their ranks with the most prepared, psychologically stable servicemen. February 24, 2008

The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Armenia summed up the results of the elections, and adopted its decision N24-A, according to which Serzh Sargsyan was elected President of the Republic.  After that, peaceful protest actions in Yerevan continued, the demonstrators demanded a recount of the results. On February 23, 2008, according to the decree 0038 within the framework of the military situation in Yerevan and the unconstitutional use of armed forces, Defense Minister Harutyunyan carried out the movement of army units to Yerevan or to the suburbs through the organization of a new military structure.

On the night of March 1, 2008, the Armenian police carried out operational activities to "study the area" on Liberty Square in Yerevan, as a result of which many peaceful demonstrators were forced to move to the square near the monument to Myasnikyan. In the afternoon, the number of peaceful demonstrators increased, and the armed units of the Ministry of Defense were stationed on the Republic Square, in the streets of Tigran Mets, Melik Adamyan, etc. Factually in the conditions of martial law, in the evening of the same day, armed forces and police units by means of special measures, using weapons and explosives substances began to disperse peaceful demonstrators. As a result of the use of firearms, ammunition, explosives and special means, hundreds of people were injured of varying degrees of severity, and the community of Yerevan and citizens suffered property damage in especially large amounts. As a result of the actions, 8 civilians and 2 police officers were killed.  Peaceful demonstrators dispersed. Major damage was done to the international image of Armenia. A search was filed against the accused M. Harutyunyan, an application was sent to the court to arrest Mikael Harutyunyan.