RA IC presents details on case of blogger Badalyan and columnist  Gevorgyan

ArmInfo.The Investigative Committee of Armenia presented details of the case of illegal procurement, keeping and sale of weapon and ammunition, within the framework of which, on September 6 and 7, seven persons were detained in Syunik, including pro-Russian blogger Mika Badalyan and Sputnik Armenia radio columnist Ashot Gevorkyan.

As the press service of the RA IC reports: "Preliminary investigation  of the criminal proceeding initiated on August 24, 2023 in the  Investigative Department of the RA National Security Service  according to the Part 2 of the Article 335 of RA Criminal Code on  illegal procurement, keeping and sale of weapon and ammunition,  committed by a group of people with prior agreement, is ongoing in  Goris Investigative Division of Syunik Regional Investigative  Department of the RA Investigative Committee.  

In the result of operative-intelligence measures, as well as complex  investigative actions taken and conducted jointly with the employees  of the RA National Security Service data were obtained on 7 persons  involved in the chain of criminal activity. On September 6 and 7,  2023 they were arrested on the base of reasonable suspicion of  committing the alleged crime by the employees of the RA National  Security Service and were brought to the investigative body, two of  them were arrested at the moment of illegal sale of firearms and  ammunition. 

A decision on the above-mentioned persons' arrest was made by the  investigative body. 

In the course of preliminary investigation inspection of the scene,  interrogations, searches in apartments and transport means were  conducted. As a result, rifle of "AK" type, combat bullets, grenades,  grenade detonators, pistols, bayonet knives, various types of  property of military significance, bushes of the hemp plant were  confiscated. 

Forensic ballistic and forensic chemical expertises were  commissioned. 

Preliminary investigation is ongoing. Urgent measures are taken to  find out the source, aim of procurement of the weapon and ammunition,  to give legal assessment to the actions of the mentioned persons."