Criminal Authority Arrested for Leading Group with Criminal Subculture

According to the information obtained in the investigation of a criminal case by the Special Investigation Service of the RA Investigative Committee, "J.S.", a person with the highest rank in the criminal hierarchy and a so-called "thief in law", has led a group characterized by criminal subculture, issuing orders to its members to commit crimes.

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia reported that the members of the group, upon receiving and carrying out orders from "J.S.", participated in the activities of the criminal subculture group.

Specifically, it was established as part of the investigation that "J.S." instructed "K.H.", another criminal authority with the highest rank in the criminal hierarchy acting as a so-called "zone watchman" in the "Nubarashen" penitentiary institution, to instruct the "zone watchman" S.A. held in the "Armavir" correctional facility to punish a detainee in that facility through physical assault, which S.A. refused to carry out.

In response to S.A.'s refusal to execute the order, "J.S." initiated the process of replacing the "zone watchman" in the "Armavir" penitentiary, instructing "K.H." to find a "normal person who keeps his word" who would follow the behavioral rules established and recognized by the criminal subculture group.

In turn, "K.H." engaged in the fulfillment of the order another criminal authority in the same facility, "A.B.", who guaranteed and subsequently recommended a detainee known by the alias "P.". The latter, adhering to the rules of behavior of the criminal subculture group, temporarily assumed the duties of the so-called "zone watchman" in that penitentiary and distributed three times during the 20-day period goods, including cigarettes and food, brought from outside to detainees and convicts. Furthermore, he issued orders to carry out disturbances on January 18 and January 24, 2021.

Based on the evidence collected, charges have been brought against "J.S." for leading a group with a criminal subculture by a person of the highest rank in the criminal hierarchy. A motion has been filed in court proposing detention as a preventive measure. The pre-investigation continues.

Notice: The suspect or accused of the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.