VIDEO: Arms Smuggled from Artsakh to Yerevan During the War, Including 43 ‘Kalashnikov’ Rifles

During the war, arms were smuggled from Artsakh to Yerevan, including 43 ‘Kalashnikov’ rifles. The National Security Service (NSS) of the Republic of Armenia reported ongoing efforts to combat illegal firearms, ammunition, military supplies, explosives, and explosive devices being acquired, sold, stored, transported, or possessed in contravention of the law.

In a statement, the NSS highlighted the discovery of a criminal group involved in illegally acquiring and storing weapons from the battlefield for resale. Notably, it stated: “In particular, Yerevan resident S.B. participated as a volunteer in military actions against the Republic of Artsakh starting from September 27, 2020. In concert with several individuals, S.B. illegally obtained firearms, specifically rifles, which were transported from Artsakh and stored in his apartment in Yerevan. Subsequently, on November 3, 2020, he negotiated to sell each rifle for between $500 and $600 to various individuals.”

As a result of extensive investigative and procedural actions conducted by the NSS investigation department under Article 235 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, weapons were seized during a search of S.B.’s residence, including ‘Kalashnikov’ type rifles, ammunition, and other prohibited items.

Through various investigative and procedural actions aimed at identifying the individual who sold these weapons, a cache was discovered in the village of Tegh in the Syunik region. This stash contained a significant amount of ammunition, illegally acquired and stored weapons, and numerous other prohibited items meant for resale from the battlefield.

Specifically, the searches uncovered a total of 43 ‘Kalashnikov’ rifles, 279 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 7 loaded magazines with 7.62mm bullets, 23 loaded magazines with 5.45mm rounds, swine knives, military backpacks, pistol holsters, 1 magazine containing 8 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 32 boxes of small-caliber ammunition, optical devices for rifle targeting, hunting shotguns, 227 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 grenade, and hunting shotgun barrels, among other items.

The NSS continues to undertake active operational and investigative measures to uncover any other weapons and ammunition illegally transported from the battlefield into Armenia and to initiate criminal proceedings against all involved parties. Meanwhile, the NSS urges participants of the conflict who illegally transported and stored weapons, ammunition, explosives, or devices in the Republic of Armenia during or after the cessation of hostilities to voluntarily surrender these items to law enforcement agencies, as such actions may serve as a legal basis for relief from criminal liability.