YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Special Investigation Service has finished the investigation into the criminal case of Nikol Pashinian, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Time) daily, the press service of the RA Prosecutor General's Office reported. The indicated case was investigated within the framework of the criminal case initiated based on the facts of the organization of mass disorders in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008 and the use of violence by the disorder participants, the commitment of acts of arson and beating, the damage done to property, the use of explosives and explosive devices, and the acts of violence and armed resistance against representatives of authorities. Nikol Pashinian was one of the most active supporters of former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian who ran as the opposition candidate in the February 2008 presidential elections in Armenia. N. Pashinian was noted for his passionate rhetorical speeches. Following the March 1-2, 2008 events, he went underground. In July 2009, he gave himself up to the Armenian police and was arrested. According to the official source, based on the investigation results Nikol Pashinian was charged under the RA Criminal Code's Article 316 Part 1 and Article 225 Part 1 - committing violence not dangerous to life and health agianst a policeman on October 23, 2007, as well as organizing together with a group of persons mass disorder on March 1-2, 2008. On August 4, 2009, the criminal case of Nikol Pashinian was separated from the common criminal case into separate proceedings. The Prosecutor's Office also reported that on August 5 2009 the accused and his lawyers were informed about the completion of the investigation. They were given all the materials and copies related to the criminal case for familiarization.

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