Armenia`s NSS exposes group planning coup in Armenia 

ArmInfo.The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia has uncovered a criminal group whose members  recruited citizens and then trained them in the Russian Federation to seize power in the Republic of Armenia.

According to the information, the NSS received information about a  group of individuals preparing to usurp power by prior agreement.  Based on the report, a criminal case was initiated under Article  43-419 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia by the Main  Department of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia  for the Investigation of Crimes against the State, the Foundations of  the Constitutional Order and Public Security.

As a result of a large number of investigative actions carried out in  active and effective cooperation with the inquiry body, including  about three dozen searches and interrogations, sufficient factual  data was obtained that RA citizens S.G, A.E, A.A, E.S, A.S, as well  as former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh A.M, A.S. and persons whose  identities have not yet been established, as part of a group, carried  out preparations for the usurpation of power, that is, they  deliberately created conditions for the seizure of power in the  Republic of Armenia through the use of violence and the appropriation  of government powers.

In particular, the said persons, during 2024, for a reward of  approximately 220,000 Russian rubles per month each, recruited a  number of citizens of the Republic of Armenia and former residents of  Nagorno- Karabakh, under the pretext of undergoing three-month  training in the Russian Federation and familiarization with new types  of heavy weapons, training in their use, and then carrying out combat  duty after returning to Armenia, as well as transferring knowledge to  other persons.

The recruited persons, S.G., A.E., A.A. and E.S., with the  organization of as yet unidentified persons, went in groups to  Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation, from where they were transported  by them to another location, where they underwent a biographical data  check, including with the help of a polygraph device, to determine  their personal qualities and political views, connections with law  enforcement agencies of Armenia.

After a preliminary check, the members of the criminal group placed  the recruited persons in the building led by A.S. military base  called "Arbat", where they were given training in indoor combat,  inside a building, with the types of weapons they were already  familiar with.

In addition, they were informed that the purpose of the exercises was  to return to the Republic of Armenia and remove the current  government, thus voicing calls to cleanse and save the Republic of  Armenia. After some of the recruited persons spoke out against these  statements and refused to participate in the armed coup being  prepared in Armenia, S.G. and A.E. went to their location with the  aim of eliminating the discontent that had arisen and bringing the  criminal intent of the group to an end, continuing the training of  the recruited persons, and tried to formally refute the fact of their  organization with the aim of seizing power in the Republic of  Armenia.

However, some of the recruited persons refused to participate in the  training and returned to the Republic of Armenia, and S.G. and other  members of the criminal group were unable to complete the crime due  to circumstances beyond their control.

Criminal prosecution was initiated against 7 persons, three of them  were arrested, and a wanted list was declared for 4. The  investigation is ongoing, and steps are being taken to identify other  members of the group.

The detained persons were charged, and petitions were filed with the  court to select a preventive measure in the form of detention against  them, which were granted. Active measures are being taken to identify  other members of the criminal group.