Police Proposes Suspension of Lydian's Security Guards License: Ecol. Front

On June 30 of this year, Lydian Company changed its security service provider, hiring the "Special Security Service" LLC. Immediately, the activities of the new guards at Amulsar began with violent and provocative actions, including killing three puppies under the wheels of a vehicle, displaying weapons openly, and threatening the Amulsar guardians, reports the Armenian Environmental Front (AEF).

This continued with the well-known events of August, when they dismantled the guards' huts and unleashed violence against the residents of Jermuk and Gndevaz, including representatives of the police. Official statements from Lydian Company confirmed that the hired firm operated under Lydian's direct control and instructions.

During the service provision by the new security company, locals have repeatedly raised concerns about the non-compliance with legal requirements. The Armenian Environmental Front submitted an application to the police on July 17 regarding the representatives of the company not bearing official insignia and names and surnames, and requested clarification on whether the uniformed persons in Amulsar had proper qualifications as security guards.

It is worth reminding that from the very first day of the transition to the new service, the issue of armedness by Lydian's hired guards posed significant problems for locals, Amulsar guardians, and people passing along the Jermuk highway. On July 1, A. Danielyan, the director of the "Special Security Service" LLC, responded to Tehmine Yenokyan's inquiry that they would decide whether to carry weapons or not based on the situation.

It turns out that the "Special Security Service" LLC does not have permission to hold and use civilian weapons and ammunition with the MPPG 47 license granted to it on September 25, 2017. This information was communicated to the National Assembly member Sofya Hovsepyan by the police in response to her inquiry in July.

As for the inquiry from the Armenian Environmental Front, the police replied on August 21, stating that an administrative proceeding was underway regarding possible violations by the "Special Security Service" LLC. However, there was no response on what violations were recorded by the police; it can only be assumed that they could relate to carrying weapons beyond the allowed limits of the license and non-compliance with the requirements of the Law on Security Services, as well as the requirements of police representatives.

Nevertheless, the police have reported that the results of their proceedings have been submitted to the licensing commission operating in the Police of the Republic of Armenia with a recommendation to suspend the company's license. The conclusion reached from the discussions at the licensing commission meeting will be posted on the official website of public notifications at azdarar.am.

The Armenian Environmental Front (AEF) is a voluntary civil initiative.