Significant Developments in the Case of 'Thief in Law' A. Mkrtchyan: Who 'Pulled' Pashinyan

The newspaper "Zhoghovurd" reports: According to information obtained by ArmLur.am, Jakob Avetyan, the head of the consolidated Geghamasar community in Gegharkunik Province, was arrested in connection with a criminal case involving "thief in law" Arsen Mkrtchyan, also known as Arsen Yerevantsi.

The Geghamasar consolidated community includes the villages of Sotk, Azat, Avazan, Arevuni, Arpunk, Geghamabak, Geghamasar, Daranak, Kakhakn, Kut, Kutakan, Norabak, and Pkok Masrik.

Let's start from the beginning. As is known, on May 21 of this year, the National Security Service (NSS) apprehended Arsen Mkrtchyan, on suspicion of creating and leading a criminally inclined group. Later, he was arrested. According to the NSS, Arsen Mkrtchyan organized gatherings of a criminally inclined group and was involved in activities targeting the group's objectives alongside Armen Melkonyan, who is known as Basar.

The NSS reported that eight individuals were apprehended on suspicion of participating in these gatherings. A total of 22 searches were conducted in their homes and vehicles, which resulted in the discovery and seizure of substantial sums of money, drugs, and other items of significance to the criminal case. Out of those apprehended by the investigative body, seven were arrested under the existing legal grounds of the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, while three were subjected to a travel restriction measure.

It is worth mentioning that Arsen Yerevantsi denies the charges brought against him and has recently been transferred to a prison hospital due to health issues. Meanwhile, details about the criminal case have emerged to ArmLur.am.

Specifically, among those arrested is Jakob Avetyan, the head of the Geghamasar community in Gegharkunik Province. How did he get involved in the meetings of criminal elements, and why was he arrested in the first place? According to the information received, the community head had financial troubles with specific individuals. According to local rumors, Jakob Avetyan owes money to numerous people, and they have been unable to recover their funds. They turned to criminals for assistance in reclaiming their money.

Herein lies the problem: 'thief in law' Arsen Yerevantsi either directly or indirectly demanded that Jakob Avetyan pay back the money owed to these individuals. This conversation was wiretapped by the NSS. This is why Jakob Avetyan was arrested right from the village administration's building.

Moreover, according to the information received, the NSS offered Jakob Avetyan the chance to recount the entire situation, promising leniency in return; however, he did not provide the desired testimony to the investigating officer and thus remained in custody.

But let's not forget a crucial aspect: how did Jakob Avetyan, the head of the Geghamasar community, become known, and where has he ended up now? Back on November 19, 2018, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Gegharkunik Province and presented Jakob Avetyan during a meeting with community leaders and other officials as an example of achieving prosperity through hard work from nothing.

Pashinyan stated: "When we talk about achieving prosperity, many think it is only when the country becomes prosperous itself. However, people should ensure prosperity through their work for both themselves and their country. I want to cite the example of the head of the Geghamasar community. He lives in the village of Sotk, which is plagued by poverty, with all the houses in a shabby condition, and yet, there stands a magnificent villa, owned by someone who has achieved prosperity from nothing through hard-earned wealth. As a state, we should encourage such people's efforts." And now, two years later, it turns out that the community leader is reportedly in debt, has failed to repay even some agricultural workers, and is involved in issues with 'thieves in law' regarding financial matters, among other things.

Furthermore, law enforcement has established that this situation is not new. This raises the question: who misled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, why, and with what motives was the head of the Geghamasar community presented to Pashinyan as a model official who achieved results from nothing?

Perhaps the NSS will find answers to these questions as well, but it must be noted that there is currently a community head detained for specific manifestations of criminal subculture.

For more details, refer to this issue of the newspaper.