Interior minister gives details of armed scooter rider detained in Yerevan

Police have submitted a report concerning suspected preparation for murder to the investigating authority after a weapon was found on a young man riding a scooter in Yerevan.

Armenian Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan said this during a briefing with journalists on 4 November, responding to a question about where the armed young man was heading and whether he was preparing to commit a crime.

She said operational work was continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

“We are currently carrying out operational work to establish the full picture. We submitted the report on the basis of preparation for murder, taking into account the overall contents of the bag. But I cannot say anything more at this stage. We will wait until our operational work is complete before drawing any final conclusions,” Sargsyan said.

The minister said the patrol officers who stopped and checked the young man would receive commendations. She stressed the importance of recognising officers’ work in preventing crimes.

“We have recently been uncovering preparations for murder more frequently, meaning that the murder does not take place. All the officers involved should receive commendations because I believe this will provide additional motivation for them to use all the tools at their disposal,” the minister said.

At around 14:50 on 2 November, patrol officers in Yerevan’s Silikyan district spotted a young man riding a scooter against the flow of traffic. He tried to flee when he saw them. The 27-year-old Yerevan resident was arrested. A search of his person uncovered an assault rifle fitted with a suppressor and an optical sight, a magazine containing 20 rounds, communications equipment and other items. The young man and the accompanying paperwork were handed over to the investigating authority.