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

 A citizen of Armenia Arthur Vardanyan, native of Yerevan, living in a foreign state, set up and managed a criminal group as soon as he arrived in Yerevan in 2015.  According to preliminary agreement, the group illegally acquired weapons and ammunition. On November 25, the joint measures taken with the Armenian Police found arms and ammunition, explosives, communication facilities and other things. As many as 10 people were arrested, with 11 more arrested later. During a private hearing on November 27, the regular court of Kentron and Nork Marash administrative districts of Yerevan sustained the motion of the National Security Service of Armenia (NSS) to use arrest as a measure of restraint against the gang members detained in Yerevan. The NSS  Investigative Department has instituted a criminal case based on Article 223 Parts 1 and 2 (creation of a criminal group or participation in a criminal community - imprisonment for 6-10 years), and Article 235 Part 3 (illegal acquisition, sale, keeping, transportation or bearing of weapons, ammunition, explosive compounds or explosive devices - imprisonment for 3-8 years) of the Armenian Criminal Code.