THE POLICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA INFORM

Under the instruction of the Police chief of the Republic of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan an official investigation has been assigned in connection with the incident which took place during the meeting held in Artashat town.
As for shootings made during the mass events, which became an object of speculation in media, we consider it necessary to mention that the police officers' authority to make shootings in public places is provided by the 2^nd subsection of the part 2 of the article 6 of the RA law «On protection of personal data», according to which personal data processing is considered legal if it is necessary for meeting the statutory requirements.
In compliance with the subsections 2 and 4 of the article 2 of the RA law «On the police», the tasks of the police are as follows: to provide the restraint, prevention and precaution of crimes and administrative offences, ensure public order and public safety.
The provisions of the law are specified in the RA Governmental regulation number 151-N, adopted in 2007, on ratification of the Code of the Patrol-Sentry Service of the RA police under the RA Government, according to subparagraph «b» of the subsection 25 of which states that radio and telecommunication means as well as other special technical means can be applied (microphone, camera observation) during the patrol-sentry service.
As for the shootings made by the police officers during the meetings, while performing their official duties of ensuring public order and public safety, then it should be mentioned that the RA police officers are empowered to visit the places of the meetings and among other powers, undertake measures aimed at prevention of administrative offences and ensuring public order, carrying out a camera survey as appropriate.
It should also be mentioned that it serves the interests of the organizers and participants of the events, and as well as pursues the aim of seeing the police officers to properly fulfill their duties.
Under the instruction of the RA police chief the police officers who make shoots should necessarily wear a uniform or an appropriate insignia.
The police of the Republic of Armenia are sorry for the incident which took place in Artashat and assure that will continue to properly carry out their functions, i.e. ensuring public order and citizens’ rights, consolidation of the atmosphere of mutual-understanding and tolerance.