YEREVAN — 2008 · Suspicious Death

The 1 March 2008 Events in Yerevan

UnsolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

After the presidential election of 19 February 2008, the opposition began days of protests in Yerevan alleging fraud. On the morning of 1 March security forces forcibly dispersed demonstrators who had spent the night in Freedom Square, and clashes continued in the city centre throughout the day. Ten people died: eight protesters, one police officer and one soldier. That evening the president declared a 20-day state of emergency, banning gatherings and censoring the media. More than 100 opposition activists were detained. Human rights groups criticised prosecutions for targeting only the opposition. In 2018 the former president was charged in connection with the events.

Date: 2008
Place: around Freedom Square, Armenia, Yerevan, AM
Category: Suspicious Death
Case Status: Unsolved
Coordinates: 40.1810, 44.5090 ↗

Timeline of Events

19 February 2008The presidential election was held; protests began.
1 March 2008Protesters were dispersed; 10 people died in clashes.
1 March 2008 (evening)A 20-day state of emergency was declared.

February 2009HRW said the prosecutions were one-sided.
2018The former president was charged.

Sources

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