Criminal Case Opened In Relation To Policemen Who Used "Cheryomukha-

CRIMINAL CASE OPENED IN RELATION TO POLICEMEN WHO USED "CHERYOMUKHA-7" WEAPON AGAINST DEMONSTRATORS ON MARCH 1-2, 2008

Noyan Tapan
July 17, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Special Investigation
Service opened a criminal case in relation to 4 policemen who used
"Cheryomukha-7" special weapon against demonstrators during the
mass disorders in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008. The case was opened
under Article 373 "Breach of Rules for Handling Arms, Ammunition
and Items Dangerous for Others" of the RA Criminal Code. The case
was initiated by instructions of the prosecutor Koryun Piloyan who
controls the legality of the investigation into the March 1 case,
NT correspondent was informed by spokeswoman for the RA Prosecutor
General Sona Truzian. To recap, the use of grenades containing
"Cheryomukha-7" tear gas resulted in the deaths of 4 civilians.

According to the same source, another case under the RA Criminal
Code’s Article 309 "Abuse of Authority" was initiated by the Special
Investigation Service based on the materials received from the National
Assembly Ad Hoc Committee. Within the framework of this case, it is
envisaged conducting an investigation in a video material that shows
a policeman chasing some people in civilian clothes and hitting them
with his baton without any reason.