One of the Homosexuals Who Assaulted Police Officers Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

A verdict has been announced in the criminal case initiated based on the incident that occurred on August 14, 2018, in front of the Central Police Department and later inside the department between police officers and homosexuals. Two defendants were found guilty of the charges brought against them; one was sentenced to 5 years, while the other received 2 years but was released due to amnesty. This information was provided by the Judicial Information System.

The accused in the case were Marat Kirilyuk and Zhikair Hovhannisyans. They were charged under Articles 258, Part 3, and 316, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, and Articles 258, Part 4, and 316, Part 1, respectively. Marat Kirilyuk was placed under the precautionary measure of not leaving, while Zhikair Hovhannisyans was detained.

According to the Judicial Information System, Marat Anatoli Kirilyuk was accused of intentionally committing violent hooliganism in a group with Zhikair Hovhannisyans in front of the Central Police Department at around 05:20 on August 14, 2018, and continued his hooligan activities inside the administrative building of the Central Police, during which he also assaulted police officers.

The case was overseen by Judge Mesrop Makyan. In a report from the Judicial Information System, it is noted that on August 14, 2018, at around 02:30, homosexuals Gevorg Gasparyan (Lina), Pavlos Amirxananyan (Milena), Artur Hakobyan (Alina), and Edgar Azatyanyan (Ella) were located at a place called ‘Komaygi’ on Zakyan Street in Yerevan. At that time, Grigor Grigoryan passed by these individuals, who requested a cigarette from him. After receiving a negative response, the homosexuals began to insult him, after which Grigor Grigoryan pursued them. In their attempt to escape, they entered the ‘Shirak’ hotel and then the ‘Astoria’ hotel, during which they called the police and later went to the Central Police Department of the RA.

Upon reaching the Central Police Department, Artur Hakobyan (Alina) informed his friend Marat Anatoli Kirilyuk (Yana) about the incident during a phone conversation, to which he expressed his willingness to come and assist them. Shortly thereafter, Marat Kirilyuk (Yana), Zhikair Hovhannisyans (Nika), and Telman Haroyan (Mane) arrived at the police station and joined the other homosexuals. During this time, the Central Police officers brought Grigor Grigoryan to the department, which they witnessed, prompting Zhikair Hovhannisyans (Nika) and Marat Kirilyuk (Yana) to shout and hurl insults, displaying blatant disrespect towards the public.

One resident, M. U., who approached and made a remark, was attacked. The police removed the resident, after which Zhikair Hovhannisyans (Nika) and Marat Kirilyuk (Yana) continued their hooligan activities and, in pursuit of them, entered the administrative building of the Central Police Department. Intentionally displaying immoral behavior, they shouted insults and made threats towards the police officers, completely disrupting the normal functioning of the Central Police officers for about 15-20 minutes, disobeyed the legal demands of the officers, hit two of the police officers, and tore the uniform shirt and epaulette of one officer.