NSS arrested Vahan Shirkhanyan over armed gang’s case

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESSVahan Shirkhanyan, theex-deputy defense minister of Armenia, was detained on December 19under the criminal case No. 58216515 over the armed group arrestedin Nork-Marash district of Yerevan. As “Armenpress” was informed from the press office of the ArmenianNational Security Service, he was detained based onArticle 129 of the Armenian Criminal Procedure Code.Vahan Shirkhanyan is suspected of complicity in theactions of Arthur Vardanyan's armed group. He may face charges basedon Article 223.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code (creation andparticipation in a criminal community).

A citizen of Armenia Arthur Vardanyan,native of Yerevan, living in a foreign state, set up and managed acriminal group as soon as he arrived in Yerevan in 2015. Accordingto preliminary agreement, the group illegally acquired weapons andammunition. On November 25, the joint measures taken with theArmenian Police found arms and ammunition, explosives, communicationfacilities and other things. As many as 10 people were arrested, with11 more arrested later. During a private hearing on November 27, theregular court of Kentron and Nork Marash administrative districts ofYerevan sustained the motion of the National Security Service ofArmenia (NSS) to use arrest as a measure of restraint against thegang members detained in Yerevan. The NSS Investigative Departmenthas instituted a criminal case based on Article 223 Parts 1 and 2(creation of a criminal group or participation in a criminalcommunity - imprisonment for 6-10 years), and Article 235 Part 3(illegal acquisition, sale, keeping, transportation or bearing ofweapons, ammunition, explosive compounds or explosive devices -imprisonment for 3-8 years) of the Armenian Criminal Code.