As a result of findings of operative-intelligence measures carried out by the employees of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, it was revealed that Arakel Movsisyan, a former deputy of the RA National Assembly, has illegal arms and ammunition in his possession. According to NSS report, due to the activity of the law-enforcement bodies in the fight against crime Arakel Movsisyan had transferred the weapons and ammunition by his people to hide and keep in another place.
Based on the collected data, a criminal case was initiated according to the Article 235 part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, ie Illegal procurement, transportation, keeping or carrying of weapons, explosives or explosive devices by a group with prior agreement. In the framework of the above-mentioned criminal case, on July 21, 2018, searches were carried out at Arakel Movsisyan’s home, as well as the possible places where the ammunition could have been transported and stored. Document allegedly certifying that the weapons and ammunition are legal were found as well.
On July 21, Arakel Movsisyan was brought to the National Security Service Investigation Department, where irrefutable information on his involvement in the illegal circulation of weapons was presented to him. The grounds for exemption from liability in case of voluntary surrender of the weapons were presented to him as well, after which, as a result of explanatory work, Movsisyan expressed readiness to hand over the illegally acquired and stored weapons and ammunition during the Artsakh War.
On the same day, at about 23:00, Arakel Movsisyan withdrew his arms and ammunition from two different hiding places near Aygek village, namely, two machine guns, one of which, with a grenade, One RPK machine gun, and one assault rifle “Belka”, 3 shotguns, 162 bullets of different calibers.
Arakel Movsisyan was released on the grounds of voluntarily handing over arms and ammunition. Preliminary investigation is underway, appropriate examinations have been set up, measures are being taken to investigate the use of detected weapons in other crimes.
The RA NSS reminds once again that the person who voluntarily handed over weapons, ammunition, explosives and equipment in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia is exempted from criminal liability if his actions contain no other crime.
The National Security Service reaffirms that the fight against illegal weapons will be of continuous nature and, accordingly, we urge citizens to hand the illegally stored ammunition to the law enforcement agencies.
Notice: The person suspected in or accused of an alleged crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in the manner prescribed by the RA Criminal Procedure Code in accordance with the Court’s verdict made effective.
