Former MP Levon Sargsyan Charged

The investigation department of the National Security Service of Armenia has concluded the pre-trial investigation regarding a criminal organization formed by Armenian citizens A.K. and A.N. The group is accused of organizing a robbery on October 27, 2008, targeting a villa owned by A.A., the former head of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia, located at 34 'b' Isahakyan Street in Yerevan. The robbery is linked to Levon Sargsyan, widely known by his nickname 'Alraghatsi Lyovik'.

According to the facts gathered during the criminal investigation, A.K., while in the United States, along with several individuals, secretly stole items worth $150,000 from jewelry stores 'Aviani', 'Mika', and 'Shredji' in Los Angeles, California, on several occasions in May and June 2004. Following an incident where some accomplices were apprehended, A.K. evaded law enforcement and relocated to Armenia. Despite being wanted by U.S. authorities, A.K. did not abandon the criminal lifestyle and, in November 2007, along with police officer A.N., formed a criminal collaboration aimed at committing serious crimes.

On November 29, 2007, A.K. learned about a robbery executed by members of the criminal organization targeting a jewelry exhibition in Yerevan. Sargsyan, in tense relations with A.A., decided to organize a robbery at A.A.'s villa through the said criminal group to punish him and steal a large sum of money.

Sargsyan communicated this criminal intent to his brother-in-law, S.G., who agreed to assist with detailed information about A.A.'s villa, including its layout and the locations of fireproof safes. Following their agreement, A.K. involved trustworthy individuals into the criminal group, promising rewards of $100,000 for the successful completion of the crime.

Additionally, A.N. provided A.S. with $5,000 for the necessary expenses of preparing for the crime, including procurement of military attire and fuel. This included delivering a pistol and ammunition to H.M., who was also given a blueprint of the victim's villa.

The criminal group gathered on the evening of October 26, 2008, in a rented apartment and reviewed the villa's layout and security details. On the night of the planned robbery, they approached A.A.'s villa at around 12:30 AM and executed the robbery, taking valuables worth 45 million AMD.

Subsequently, Sargsyan was charged under Article 175 of the RA Criminal Code for theft and has been taken into custody. Similarly, S.G. has also been charged under the same article. The case was forwarded with an accusatory conclusion to the prosecutor for further judicial proceedings.