YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. According to the decision of the head of the Office of Public Defender 12 members of the criminal group arrested in Yerevan were provided with services of public defenders. “Armenpress” reports that spokesman of Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia Hayk Hakobyan said the aforementioned.

A criminal group has been revealed as a result of investigative works performed by the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia. The criminal group intended to organize a number of grave crimes in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Armenia citizen, former resident of Yerevan, Artur Vardanyan residing abroad arrived in Armenia in 2015, formed and headed a criminal group during 2015 with the intention of organizing a number of grave crimes in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. He recruited mainly unemployed 19 citizens of Armenia, 5 of them residents of Yerevan, 7 – of Shirak region, 3 – of Armavir region, 2 – of Lori region, 1 – of Kotayk region, 1 – of Gegharkunik region, 1 – of Syunik region, including 4 women and 3  participants of Artsakh liberation war. All 19 members of the gang have been arrested.

According to preliminary agreement, the group illegally acquired a large number of weapons and ammunition concealing it in a rented house in Nork district of Yerevan.

In joint searches with the Police on November 25, different rifles, pistols, grenade launchers, grenades, explosive materials and equipment, cartridges, bullets etc. were discovered.   Artur Vardanyan and 9 members of the criminal group were discovered in the house during the searches. The criminals have been arrested.

A criminal case has been initiated in Investigative Department of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with parts 1 and 2 of Article 223 and part 3 of Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Preliminary investigation is being held. Additional information will be provided later.