Ex-deputy head of the Armenian Investigative Committee Vahagn Harutyunyan, wanted over the criminal case on March 1 events, has been detained in Moscow, TASS reported referring to law enforcement agencies.

He was detained on Saturday. 

The issue of his extradition is set to be decided, the source said.

On December 30, 2018, the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction made a second decision on the arrest of Vahagn Harutyunyan, which was canceled on February 6 by the Court of Appeal. The case has been sent to the court of the first instance for a new trial.

The accusation brought against Vahagn Harutyunyan within March 1 case was supplemented in December last year. Harutyunyan is involved as an accused of abuse of power, resulting in negligent grave consequences and abuse of power, accompanied by violence, the use of weapons or special equipment. 

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.

Second President Robert Kocharyan is charged with overthrowing the constitutional order in Armenia in connection with the aforesaid events, and taking a particularly large bribe.