Police commander who allegedly ordered use of deadly, expired tear-gas grenades in 2008 protests indicted

The indictment against a former Armenian police official who commanded the Police Troops during the 2008 post-election unrest has been sent to court, the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

A criminal investigation into the deadly post-election unrest in Yerevan in 2008 is still ongoing. Former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan had rallied supporters in Yerevan against what he described as rigged elections that declared Serzh Sargsyan president-elect in 2008. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed during mass disturbances and clashes between demonstrators and security forces on March 1, 2008, during the final days of Robert Kocharyan’s presidency.

The accused, G.G., served as commander of the Police Troops and deputy chief of police from 2003 until July 2, 2008.

Public criminal prosecution against G.G. was initiated on September 4, 2026, on suspicion of negligent performance of official duties that unintentionally resulted in grave consequences.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, G.G. failed to take measures to ensure that subordinate units were supplied with suitable, non-expired special equipment and to organize its safe and proper use.

According to the prosecution, during the events of March 1, 2008, in areas adjacent to the intersections of Paronyan, St. Gregory the Illuminator and Leo streets and Mashtots Avenue in Yerevan, he personally and through subordinate commanders ordered servicemen to fire Cheryomukha-7 tear-gas grenades from KS-23 special-purpose carbines at protesters. The grenades were intended for use in enclosed spaces. Expired special equipment that was unfit for use and should have been destroyed was used without warning, prosecutors said.

As a result, three demonstrators died, two people sustained serious injuries, and one person sustained moderately serious injuries.

“On October 7, 2026, the prosecutor submitted the criminal case materials concerning G.G. to the Yerevan First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction with the approved indictment,” the statement said.