Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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08YEREVAN331 | 2008-04-14 12:51:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Yerevan |
1. (SBU) The official death toll of the March 1-2 clashes between protesters and security services in Yerevan has reached ten. Local media report the April 11 death of 19-year-old policeman Tigran Abgarian, who had suffered a gunshot wound in his neck that damaged his spinal cord. 2. (SBU) On April 14 information on a 10th victim became available. A 29-year-old civilian, Samvel Harutyunyan from Ararat region, died April 11. He had received a gunshot to the head which damaged his brain. According to A1 Plus news service, Harutyunyan died without gaining consciousness, even though his condition had seemed to improve after a number of surgeries in recent days. RFE/RL reported that his funeral took place on April 14. 3. (SBU) According to the Ministry of Health, there are still three persons who suffered in the clashes that continue to receive treatment in hospitals. The condition of one of them --Ruben Torosyan -- continues to be grave. One of the others is in stable condition, but will remain hospitalized, and the third is to be released April 15. 4. (SBU) The Prosecutor General's spokesperson Sona Truzian announced April 11 that authorities have identified the man who was run over by a car during the clashes, the video of which was widely circulated on YouTube.com and other internet sites. Refusing to give further details, Truzian told us that the Special Investigative Service (SIS) is investigating the case and has questioned both the man who was run over and the driver of the car. A1 Plus reported that the car in question -- which belonged to the special police unit and had been transporting barbed wire in a towed trailer -- was later burned by protesters. 5. (SBU) Truzian said that they had learned about the accident through the media just like everyone else, and were surprised that the video was posted online only on April 1, a month after the events. According to Truzian the man involved (name neither announced nor known to us) is not in a life threatening health condition, but had suffered injuries to his legs. She said the man did not seek medical assistance in any of the hospitals and that is another question for the SIS. FRAZIER |