The prosecutor has submitted the materials of the criminal proceedings against G.G., the former commander of the RA police forces, in the case of "March 1" to the court with an approved indictment.

 

"The prosecutor's office had informed that within the framework of the criminal proceedings initiated regarding the events that took place in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008, on September 4, 2026, the prosecutor initiated public criminal prosecution against G.G., who held the position of commander of the RA police forces from 2003 until July 2, 2008, under the second part of Article 376 of the Criminal Code adopted on April 18, 2003 (negligent attitude towards service, which has caused serious consequences due to carelessness).

 

The criminal proceedings established that G.G., as the commander, disregarding the fact that there were no necessary legal acts regarding the use of special means by the RA police forces in 2008, failed to take measures to ensure that the subordinate units were equipped with suitable and non-expired weapons, and to organize their safe and correct operation due to negligence towards service.

 

In particular, on March 1, 2008, during the events that took place in the areas adjacent to the intersections of Paronyan, Grigor Lusavorich, Leo streets, and Mashtots Avenue in Yerevan, G.G. directly, as well as through the commanders under his command, ordered the servicemen of the RA police forces to fire tear gas grenades of the "Cheremukha-7" type, intended for use in closed areas, at the demonstrators from "KS-23" special carbines. In the absence of a procedure for the use of special means, without warning, expired, unsuitable for use, and subject to destruction special means were illegally used, including tear gas grenades of the "Cheremukha-7" type fired at the demonstrators from "KS-23" special carbines, which resulted in the death of three individuals among the participants of the demonstration, two individuals suffered serious health damage, and one individual suffered moderate health damage.

 

On October 7, 2026, the prosecutor submitted the materials of the criminal proceedings against G.G. to the first instance general jurisdiction criminal court of Yerevan with an approved indictment," the prosecutor's office stated in its announcement.