National Security Service Officials Decline to Admit Guilt in Court

During today's court session regarding the case of bribery involving officials from the National Security Service (NSS) and an Indian citizen, the defense attorneys for the three defendants requested the court to lift the restrictions on their communication with the defendants and on phone conversations.

The prosecutor in the case, David Karapetyan, indicated that he has no objection to lifting the restrictions, but only in regard to family members, arguing that meetings with other individuals are not advisable during the trial phase.

The victim in the case, Sandeep Kaushik, stated that he does not wish for the restrictions to be lifted, as he fears the defendants may establish phone contact with others. "The circumstances of the case are such that they have committed unlawful acts against me while serving at the NSS - they have shackled me, taken me out of the city, and threatened me," the victim expressed through a translator, voicing concern that the defendants could harm him if allowed to have phone conversations and meetings with their associates.

After hearing from both sides, the court decided to lift the restrictions on communication and phone conversations.

It should be noted that the defendants in this case include Edik Apoyan, former head of the relevant division of the NSS of Armenia's Yerevan city administration, operative Gevorg Gabrielyan, and Gor Martirosyan, all of whom are temporarily suspended from their duties.

During today's session, Prosecutor David Karapetyan presented the indictment in the case. According to the indictment, Edik Apoyan, as an official serving in the NSS, colluded with another official from the same service, Gevorg Gabrielyan, to extort a particularly large bribe, with the assistance of Gor Martirosyan.

Based on the investigation's findings, the aforementioned individuals threatened an Indian citizen, who had legal residency in Armenia, on July 24, 2019, demanding money for not expelling him from Armenia and for not holding him unjustly accountable. As a result, they extorted a substantial bribe of $17,700 and subsequently demanded an additional $3,700 under the threat of violence.

For these criminal acts, Edik Apoyan and Gevorg Gabrielyan have been charged under parts 1 and 4 of Article 309 and Article 311 of the Armenian Criminal Code, respectively, while Gor Martirosyan is charged under parts 1 of 38-309 and 38-311 of the Criminal Code for his assistance in the crimes. They are currently detained as a measure of constraint.

The defendants, Edik Apoyan, Gevorg Gabrielyan, and Gor Martirosyan, have announced that they do not accept the charges brought against them. The next court session will feature testimony from the victim, the Indian citizen.