Armenian investigative bodies are responsible for failing to establish all the facts concerning the death of ten people in Yerevan, March 1, 2008. As regards the fact-finding group and the ad hoc parliamentary commission, they were only supposed to help the investigation, CE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg told journalists January 21. He pointed out that the two bodies were unable to conduct independent investigations. That would be absurd. The parliamentary committee was to deal with the political aspects of the events and draft relevant bills that would rule out any possibility of recurrences, the European official said.

According to him, the parliamentary committee did not enjoy sufficient public confidence, as Opposition representatives did not take part in its activities. As a result, a fact-finding group was set up. Thomas Hammarberg stressed that it is the Armenian investigative bodies and Prosecutor’s Office that are responsible for the failed investigation.

NEWS.am reminds readers that on March 1, 2008, the Armenian authorities tried to disperse a rally that demanded the cancellation of presidential election results. According to official information, the clashes claimed ten lives. No one has so far been punished.