Details Emerge on Gunfire Near Arinj Bridge, Suspect Claims Innocence After Party

On August 5, near the Arinj Bridge, Sevak Sarukyan, involved in the gunfire incident, denies the charges brought against him. His attorney, Emin Khachatryan, stated, "We are talking about an unfounded case. There is no evidence in the criminal case. I am convinced that it cannot be established that Sevak Sarukyan carried a weapon or fired shots. Furthermore, throughout this pre-trial investigation, Sevak Sarukyan has tried to assist the investigative body in uncovering the objective reality. He has undergone various types of examinations, provided samples for research, given testimonies, and stated where he was and what he did. Regarding resisting law enforcement, the court has not even considered the presumption of reasonable doubt to be overcome."

According to earlier reports from photojournalist Gagik Shamsyan, a dramatic incident reminiscent of an action film occurred in Yerevan on August 5. Around 22:45, a Toyota Land Cruiser with the license plate 80 TT 008 opened fire while traveling along Acharyan Street and subsequently entered the village of Arinj. The patrol officers from the first platoon of the first company of the Yerevan Police’s patrol service pursued the Toyota Land Cruiser, which fled for about 1-1.5 km but ultimately could not escape the police. The officers managed to neutralize two individuals, while two or three others, whose exact number was being clarified, fled the scene. The vehicle was found, and the head of the patrol service of the RA Police, Arthur Umrshatyan, the deputy head of the service, Armen Matevosyan, the commander of the Yerevan division, Andranik Isakhanyan, and the deputy commander of the division, Andranik Khachatryan, arrived at the scene.