NSS Held Armed Forces Colonel for 6 Months to Extract Testimony Against Serzh Sargsyan

The National Security Service (NSS) aimed to extract testimony against former president Serzh Sargsyan by holding an Armed Forces colonel in custody for six months, but ultimately failed and had to release him quietly. The case pertains to Colonel Vahan Avetisyan, head of the Armed Forces' radio-electronic warfare department, who was detained in connection with a criminal case involving the alleged procurement of useless weapons valued at $42 million during Sargsyan's rule.

Specifically, they attempted to coerce Colonel Avetisyan into stating that Sargsyan acquired TOR surface-to-air missile systems and received a kickback in return. It is worth remembering that on March 11, 2020, during the pre-election campaign for the constitutional referendum in the Tatev community of Syunik Province, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Sargsyan's government of purchasing weapons for $42 million that could not be used in military operations.

Additionally, Vahan Avetisyan had addressed a letter to the Prime Minister from the detention facility on April 3, stating that he was being persecuted by Chief of General Staff Artak Davtyan and his deputy Stepan Galstyan. According to Avetisyan, they are obstructing his activities in the National Assembly's April investigative committee. After being discharged from the armed forces, he had taken a position as an expert in the investigative committee.

It should be noted that the law enforcement agencies have yet to disclose any information regarding the progress of this criminal case to the public. Avetisyan's defense attorney has also declined to provide explanations, stating that the case is being investigated under the guise of state secret.