191 Criminal Cases, 84 Accused, 8 Convicted for Illegally Bringing Weapons into Armenia during and after the 44-Day War

From September 27 to November 9, 2020, due to the aggressive military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and Armenia, 191 criminal cases have been initiated for the illegal acquisition, theft, and transfer of ammunition, explosives, or devices to Armenia during or immediately after the hostilities and ceasefire establishment. These cases fall under various parts and combinations of Articles 235 and 238 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

The materials of these criminal cases indicate that weapons and military ammunition, intended for use against the enemy during the war, were mainly acquired from various defensive zones of the Republic of Artsakh. They were transported to the territory of the Republic of Armenia during the war and afterwards, primarily hidden in vehicles, while in some instances, these criminal actions were carried out by groups of several individuals in prior agreement and cooperation.

During the war and immediately after, checks conducted at checkpoints located along various sections of the Stepanakert-Goris highway by law enforcement officials resulted in the discovery and seizure of mainly various types of automatic rifles, firearms, machine guns, pistols, carving knives, anti-tank grenade launchers, cartridges, fuses, grenades, and numerous other items. As a result of the measures taken by law enforcement bodies, including explanatory work, many citizens voluntarily surrendered the weapons and ammunition they had brought from the conflict zone.

Some cases have been combined, and 82 criminal cases are currently at the pre-trial investigation stage, with ongoing necessary investigative, judicial, and operational measures aimed at clarifying the circumstances of the acquisition and transfer of the discovered weapons and ammunition to Armenia, completing the circle of individuals involved in the criminal acts, and identifying any other illegally obtained weapons and ammunition.

Based on the evidence acquired from the criminal cases related to the illegal acquisition, theft, and transportation of ammunition, explosives, or devices due to military operations, 84 individuals have been charged under various parts of the aforementioned articles of the Criminal Code of Armenia, with 8 of them being subject to detention as a preventive measure. A total of 25 criminal cases associated with these charges have been sent to the court concerning 28 individuals, with a convicting ruling having been issued against 8 individuals in 6 cases. For 7 of them, imprisonment has been imposed as a penalty. The court proceedings for 18 criminal cases concerning 19 individuals are ongoing.