Unlikely That Those Detained Include Individuals Involved in Timber Business, Says Deputy Chief of Police

I do not rule out that the clashes that occurred yesterday in Ijevan were organized by individuals engaged in illegal logging shadow business, said Deputy Chief of Police Vardan Movsisyan during a press briefing regarding the known events in Ijevan yesterday evening.

“A fairly large crowd had gathered—about 500 people, if not more. It was clear that this could also be organized by a group of people interested in this matter. There are operational data, but we are not disclosing them yet. Police operations are being conducted, we are carrying out operational activities and studying all directions. The cases of law violations that have occurred will be determined by the investigation,” he stated.

In response to the question of whether there were individuals involved in the timber business among those detained after yesterday's incident, the deputy chief of police said he could not provide a precise answer to that question, but in his opinion, it is unlikely.

Journalists simultaneously asked Vardan Movsisyan whether the individuals behind the illegal logging business are known to the public. “I cannot disclose that; I do not have such authority. I can only say that the police have information. I have no doubt that during the investigation, people will be summoned if their involvement in the illegal logging process is established. They will be punished because one cannot set conditions before the state that are illegal,” said the deputy chief of police.

Finally, Vardan Movsisyan emphasized that one police officer was previously involved in the process of transporting illegally harvested timber.