September 26, 2012 - 16:55 AMT
ANC seeks to revive parliament committee for March 1, 2008 events

Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc plans to introduce a proposal on creation of an interim parliamentary committee for the investigation of March 1, 2008 events.

As ANC MP, former judge advocate Gagik Jangiryan stated, the committee will be engaged in investigation of the circumstances of the death of 10 people and injuries of over 100.

Discovering the identities of perpetrators and providing financial compensation to the families of the victims will be among the committee’s main goals.

Jangiryan further expressed hope for the other parliamentary forces to support the initiative. “That will be a test to find out who really cares to probe the tragic events of March 1,” he said.

From February 20, 2008, the Armenian opposition led by first president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who ran for presidency in 2008, but was not elected, held rallies in the central part of Yerevan, protesting against the election results.

The protest actions resulted in unrest and clashes between the police and rally participants on March 1-2. According to the Office of RA Prosecutor General, around 200 people were injured, 10 people were killed, and over 100 people were arrested.