16 charged with hooliganism at Yerevan protest
16 people are facing hooliganism and mass riot charges in connection with the demonstration outside the Armenian parliament on 12 June that saw violent clashes between police and protesters. Riot police used stun grenades and other forcible tactics against demonstrators, making around 100 arrests.
In a statement on Monday, the Armenian Investigative Committee said 4 of them were remanded in pre-trial custody, 8 suspects were placed under house arrest, while 2 others were banned from leaving the country.
The law-enforcement agency said that the protesters blatantly defied police orders, swore at police officers guarding the parliament building, hurled bottles and other objects at them.
“Their criminal actions left a number of police officers injured and disrupted the public order,” the statement said.
The preliminary investigation into the incident has been completed with the case set to go to court.
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