General Tiran Khachatryan charged over 2023 protest

Armenian authorities have charged retired Lt. Gen. Tiran Khachatryan with hooliganism in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred during protests in September 2023, according to his attorney.

Defense lawyer Varazdat Harutyunyan said on Friday the charge stems from allegations that Khachatryan struck a vehicle that was being driven at high speed toward citizens who had blocked a street during demonstrations.

Harutyunyan described the case as part of ongoing political repression and criticized investigators for their handling of the proceedings.

According to the attorney, no investigative actions were taken for nearly three years after the criminal case was opened in 2023. He said authorities only recently moved to formally charge Khachatryan, complete the preliminary investigation and send the case to court with an indictment.