ArmInfo.Court trial started on the case of armed group, neutralized in Yerevan on November 25, 2015.
During the session Arthur Vardanyan, the leader of the group, stated : "While we are here, Armenia will not face troubles." He didn't answer the question about his health, mentioning that "there is no sense in asking a prisoner such questions"
All the persons charged within this case, attended the session, except Vahan Shirkhanyan, the Ex Deputy Minister of Defense, which didn't attend the session due to health related problems.
To note, as a result of investigative measures taken by the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, an organized criminal group intending to commit grave crimes in the territory of Armenia was disclosed on November 25. 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.
Within the framework of the criminal case 33 persons were charged, 25 of those being under arrest . Vahan Shirkhanyan, the former Defense Deputy Minister, and Garnik Margaryan, the leader of oppositional Motherland and Honor party and Vladimir Arakelyan, the main beneficiary of Eghvard Sportshoes Plant are among arrested persons.