The Wiretap Case of the Former NSS Director and Deputy Head of the Anti-Corruption Committee Revealed, but Investigation Still Ongoing

The case is essentially revealed; however, the criminal case is still in the investigative phase and has not been concluded. This was stated by the head of the Investigative Committee, Haik Grigoryan, during a briefing with reporters regarding the question of what stage the wiretapping case of the Anti-Corruption Committee head and the former director of the National Security Service stands.

"It is not completed because we have sent investigative requests to several foreign partners, which, when fulfilled, will lead to new decisions based on the summarization of the results. Vantsyan is not involved in that episode," he noted, adding that there are currently no arrested individuals in this case.

Referring to the question of what new information exists in the case concerning the former president of the Football Federation of Armenia, Ruben Hayrapetyan, who mentioned that he cannot return as he is in quarantine in the Russian Federation, Grigoryan answered: "It is known that we have six defendants involved in that case, some of whom are wanted, and some are not. We have organized possible support through the ambassador to assist in Mr. Hayrapetyan's return to Armenia. Additionally, during the investigation, we discovered a decree from the mayor of Moscow, which allowed individuals to leave their homes, yards, and district territories to appear before criminal prosecution bodies during the restrictions. There was no restriction in that regard. Now a wanted notice has been issued."

When asked whether they could have predicted that Hayrapetyan might leave the country, Grigoryan responded that first, Hayrapetyan has not been in Armenia since February, and the criminal case was initiated in March-April. "As for several individuals leaving the territory of Armenia, the Constitution provides for the right to free movement, and a person's movement rights could only be restricted if there is a precautionary measure selected against them regarding not leaving the country. In cases of bail, detention, or other precautionary measures, we do not have the right to restrict a person's movement. And to choose a precautionary measure regarding not leaving, the person must be either a defendant or a suspect," he clarified.