Former Deputy Police Chief Involved in March 1 Case Commits Suicide

According to ArmDaily.am, former police chief Hayk Harutyunyan has committed suicide at his residence in Bjni last night. Preliminary reports indicate he took his own life using a firearm he had secured.

It is worth noting that Hayk Harutyunyan was questioned months ago in connection with the March 1 case. The information was confirmed by Hayk Alyumyan, one of Robert Kocharyan’s defense attorneys.

Hayk Harutyunyan served as the Chief of Police of Armenia from 2003 to 2008 and was dismissed from his position in May 2008. Reports circulated in the media in 2008 that Harutyunyan had submitted his resignation to Kocharyan before March 1, but the latter did not sign it. According to these publications, Harutyunyan requested a written order for the use of force, which was not granted.

However, the defense claims that Robert Kocharyan learned about the 'necessity' of using force from law enforcement only in the morning while he was at work.