YEREVAN. – The Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia has been notified from Russia that ex-Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan—who is a defendant in the criminal case into what had occurred in capital city Yerevan, in March 2008—is a Russian citizen, SIS Spokesperson Marina Ohanjanyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In her words, an additional inquiry has been sent to Russia to find out when Harutyunyan was granted Russian citizenship.

Former Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan has been charged in Armenia within the framework of the criminal case into the tragic events that transpired in Yerevan on March 1 and 2, 2008—and under Article 300.1 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code; that is, breaching Armenia’s constitutional order, in conspiracy with others.

But since Harutyunyan is not in Armenia, an international arrest warrant for him was declared.

In July, the Armenian court ruled in favor of the petition that Mikayel Harutyunyan be remanded in custody.

Subsequently, the Police of Armenia received a notification from Russia that the arrest warrant for Harutyunyan was canceled in Russia. 

On March 1 and 2, 2008 the then authorities of Armenia used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown Yerevan, and against the results of the presidential election on February 19, 2008. Eight demonstrators as well as two servicemen of the internal troops were killed in the clashes. But no one had been brought to account for these deaths, to this day.