On July 26, former President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan was charged with a criminal offense on the basis of evidence obtained during the preliminary investigation of the March 1 events.
The Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Armenia reports that Kocharyan is accused of breaking the chapter 300.1 of the Criminal Code on attempting to change the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia by force. The crime can be punished with up to 15 years of imprisonment.
On the same day, motion was filed to the General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan for arresting President Kocharyan. Kocharyan himself called the accusations "political persecution" and "vendetta".
In 2008, Serzh Sargsyan was elected President and replaced his predecessor Kocharyan. Following his election, mass protests were held in Yerevan on March 1-2 against alleged electoral fraud. Police brutally dispersed protesters leaving 10 people dead.
Notification: a person that is suspected or accused of an alleged crime, is considered innocent until his/her guilt is proved by a court judgement that has come into legal effect pursuant to the procedure determined by RA Criminal Procedure Code.