YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan Kentron and Nork-Marash Administrative Districts granted the request on selecting arrest as a measure of restraint of Artur Vardanyan - the leader of the gang neutralized by National Security Service of Armenia. Artur Vardanyan’s lawyer Levon Baghdasaryan told “Armenpress” the aforementioned.

“The request on selecting arrest as a measure of restraint of Artur Vardanyan was discussed by the court. The court granted the request,” Baghdasaryan   emphasized. He also added that the defendant pleaded not guilty.

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.

In joint searches with the Police on November 25, different rifles, pistols, grenade launchers, grenades, explosive materials and equipment, cartridges, bullets etc. were discovered in the rented house in Nork district of Yerevan. 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.