Video: NSS Reveals Police Officer Transferred Weapons Illegally from Battlefield to Armenia

The Investigation Department of the National Security Service of Armenia continues its inquiry into the illegal acquisition, sale, possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms, ammunition, military supplies, explosives, or devices from the Republic of Artsakh into the territory of Armenia. As a result of effective investigative and other procedural actions, as well as coordinated operational and intelligence measures, the identity of another individual who illegally acquired and transported weapons and ammunition from the battlefield into Armenia has been revealed.

Specifically, during the investigation, sufficient evidence emerged regarding officer A.B. from the Kashatagh regional division of the Artsakh Police, who, participating as a police officer in the military operations launched against the Republic of Artsakh, repeatedly traveled to the territory of Jrakana (Jabrayil) to solve various combat tasks. Under unspecified circumstances, he illegally acquired military equipment, including eight 9mm shells, thirty-two small caliber bullets, cleaning tools for firearms, optical devices, hunting rifles, two hundred twenty-seven 7.62mm bullets, one grenade, and a total of forty-five AK-type automatic rifles of various models.

Between September 27 and November of 2020, this military equipment was illegally transported and stored in auxiliary structures of his acquaintance S.G.’s residence in the village of Tegh in the Syunik region, part of which was destined for further sale. The other portion of the prohibited items was supposed to be turned over to trustworthy citizens after the end of the war, persuading or compelling them to present these items voluntarily to the respective police division, thereby creating the illusion of fulfilling their official duties responsibly while ignoring the dire necessity of providing armed support to those involved in the ongoing fierce combat.

In other words, police officer A.B. prepared to violate his official duties by acquiring means to commit a crime, deliberately creating other conditions, which would clearly exceed the capacity of his authority and significantly harm the legitimate interests of the state. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, the substantial weapons he illegally acquired and stored were discovered and seized by NSS employees.

Moreover, the investigation has gathered sufficient evidence that A.B. illegally sold two of the AK-type assault rifles he had unlawfully acquired to his acquaintance S.B. for a certain sum of money. S.B. subsequently transferred and stored these firearms in his actual residence, after which, on November 3, 2020, he made an arrangement to sell each rifle for between $500 and $600 to another individual.

A.B. has been arrested based on immediate suspicion arising from the commission of the aforementioned criminal acts and has been charged under Part 2 of Article 235 and Part 1 of Article 309 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. A motion for his detention as a preventive measure has been submitted to the court. The criminal proceedings continue, with ongoing investigative and operational measures aimed at uncovering other weapons and munitions illegally transported into Armenia from the battlefield and initiating criminal proceedings against all those involved.

The National Security Service of Armenia once again urges those who participated in the fighting and illegally transported and stored weapons, munitions, explosives, or devices into Armenia during the period of military operations or after the establishment of the ceasefire to voluntarily surrender them to law enforcement agencies. Such actions will serve as a legal basis for their exemption from criminal liability. Additionally, individuals serving in public positions are called upon to adhere strictly to the principle of legality, and are warned that the NSS will take active measures to hold accountable anyone found in violation of this.