Exactly 12 years ago, tragic events took place in central Yerevan, taking the lives of 10 citizens.

In the wake of the presidential elections that took place on February 18, 2008, the supporters of first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan gathered at Liberty Square with the demand for a recount of the votes and held round-the-clock rallies at Liberty Square for ten consecutive days.

On the morning of March 1, police dispersed the crowd by force, after which people started gathering near the statue of Myasnikyan. On the evening of the same day, President Robert Kocharyan declared martial law. The clashes took the lives of 10 citizens, including two police officers, and another 200 received injuries of various degrees.

The ten victims were Gor Kloyan, Davit Petrosyan, Tigran Abgaryan, Tigran Khachatryan, Armen Farmanyan, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Hamlet Tadevosyan, Grigor Gevorgyan, Samvel Harutyunyan and Zakar Hovhannisyan.

Several people were detained and arrested after being charged with participation in the mass disturbances.

Within the scope of the case regarding the events of March 1, 2008, second President of Armenia Robert Kochayran, ex-defense minister Mikayel Harutyunyan, Yuri Khachaturov and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan are charged with overthrow of constitutional order. Former Presidents of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Serzh Sargsyan have been interviewed as witnesses.