Four individuals are being prosecuted over alleged attempts to sabotage Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to the Syunik Province in April 2021.

According to investigative reports, the head of the security department of a local company in Syunik had advance knowledge of the planned visit and on April 20 used his position to organize actions aimed at obstructing the Prime Minister’s April 21 itinerary. He allegedly sent a voice message to a company employee, discussing plans for hooligan acts in connection with the visit.

On April 21, while the Prime Minister and other officials toured Agarak and later Meghri, the individual identified as A.G. allegedly acted to provoke public dissatisfaction and justify illegal conduct. Together with another department head, he arranged for a journalist and a cameraman from a specific media outlet to live-stream the orchestrated actions, portraying them as spontaneous.

Instead of covering the official events, the crew allegedly broadcasted the illegal activities, justified them on air, and insulted government officials with the intention of encouraging public participation in these actions.

A.G. reportedly organized a group to engage in hooligan behavior, including shouting vulgarities and insults in public, disobeying law enforcement, and physically assaulting officers. They allegedly damaged a car used by the Prime Minister’s security detail, tore the uniforms of State Protection Service staff, and disrupted public order and transport services.

Further, A.G. allegedly brought over 20 individuals to the Goris-Kapan highway area. Following M.H.'s instructions, local representatives joined. They set up tables, provided food and alcohol to entice the crowd, and instructed them to remain for hours and block the road as the Prime Minister passed.

M.H. and H.A. reportedly instructed participants to close the road and prepared them with eggs to throw at the convoy. During the convoy's movement near Shurnukh, they allegedly directed verbal abuse and threw eggs at state vehicles, including the Prime Minister’s. These actions were filmed by a security staff member and circulated online.

Due to the restrained response of police and security forces and the general public’s lawful conduct, the incident did not escalate into mass unrest. However, A.G. has been charged with attempting to organize mass disturbances under Article 44-46-327 of the Criminal Code. Z.T., A.G., and A.M. face charges of aiding in the attempt under the same provisions.

A.G., Z.T., and A.G. were subjected to bail and travel restrictions. A.M. was only restricted from travel. The case has now been submitted to the supervising prosecutor with an indictment.