Armenian defense minister admits army was involved in March 2008 disturbances in Yerevan
YEREVAN. Sept 12 (Interfax) - The Armenian Armed Forces were involved in the March 1, 2008 events in Yerevan, in which ten people were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan told journalists on Wednesday.
"The Armed Forces were involved, it's a fact. However, there should be no hasty judgments. The Armed Forces were involved in line with the state of emergency declared at the time and were performing their duties. It's for the investigation to determine which of their actions exceeded their powers," Tonoyan said.
Tonoyan served as chief of the Armenian Defense Ministry international military cooperation and defense policy directorate in 2008.
Special Investigation Service Chairman Sasun Khachatryan said on Tuesday that the army was used to quell civilian disturbances in March 2008. He said groups of servicemen were put together following ex-President Robert Kocharyan's order on dispersing the demonstrators and using force in Yerevan.