Friday, December 2 2016 14:58

ArmInfo.Court trial started  on the case of armed group, neutralized in Yerevan on November 25, 2015. 

During the session  Arthur Vardanyan,  the leader of the group,  stated : "While we are here, Armenia will not face troubles." He  didn't answer the question about his health, mentioning that "there  is no sense in asking a prisoner such questions"

All the persons charged within this case, attended the session,  except Vahan Shirkhanyan, the Ex Deputy Minister of  Defense, which  didn't attend the session due to health related  problems. 

To note, as a result of investigative measures taken by the National  Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, an organized criminal group  intending to commit grave crimes in the territory of Armenia was  disclosed on November 25. A citizen of Armenia Arthur Vardanyan,  native of Yerevan, living in a foreign state, set up and managed a  criminal group as soon as he arrived in Yerevan in 2015.  According  to preliminary agreement, the group illegally acquired weapons and  ammunition. On November 25, the joint measures taken with the  Armenian Police found arms and ammunition, explosives, communication  facilities and other things. As many as 10 people were arrested, with  11 more arrested later. During a private hearing on November 27, the  regular court of Kentron and Nork Marash administrative districts of  Yerevan sustained the motion of the National Security Service of  Armenia (NSS) to use arrest as a measure of restraint against the  gang members detained in Yerevan. The NSS  Investigative Department  has instituted a criminal case based on Article 223 Parts 1 and 2  (creation of a criminal group or participation in a criminal  community - imprisonment for 6-10 years), and Article 235 Part 3  (illegal acquisition, sale, keeping, transportation or bearing of  weapons, ammunition, explosive compounds or explosive devices -  imprisonment for 3-8 years) of the Armenian Criminal Code.

Within the framework of the criminal case 33 persons were charged, 25  of those being  under arrest . Vahan Shirkhanyan, the former  Defense   Deputy Minister, and  Garnik Margaryan, the leader of oppositional  Motherland and Honor  party and Vladimir Arakelyan, the main  beneficiary of Eghvard Sportshoes Plant are among arrested  persons.