Prior to March 1, the NSS had Information on Preparations for Attacks on Military Facilities, Ohanyan

Prior to March 1, 2008, the National Security Service (NSS) had information regarding preparations for attacks on military facilities. This was stated by the former Minister of Defense and then Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces during the March 1 events, Seyran Ohanyan, at a court session.

He confirmed the words of lawyer Aram Vardevanyan, referring to case materials indicating that many of the protesters were armed. “The red line of the accusation passes through order 0038. The role of the army is presented in a negative light in the 79 volumes of the case. Yes, as the president noted, on February 23, the processes of the ‘Homeland Defender’ union were discussed. It was also discussed that the NSS had information indicating that there were records of military personnel, including high-ranking officers, moving in armed groups. Among them were also commanders of military units. But this is not mentioned anywhere in the 79 volumes. According to the NSS, participants in the rally were armed, especially former participants of the war. Yes, we strengthened the military units. Because every day we were receiving information about the preparation of attacks on military units and military facilities to acquire weapons. This is also not present in the materials,” stated Seyran Ohanyan.