VIDEO: New Details on the Arrest of 'Thieves in Law'

A criminal prosecution has been initiated against 7 individuals for creating and leading a criminal group. During a search, 180,000 USD was discovered.

In the specially important cases investigation department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, considerable investigative and procedural actions have revealed various circumstances regarding a criminal group formed and led by an individual known as 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski,' who holds a high rank in the criminal hierarchy.

The investigation has obtained factual data indicating that the individual, referred to as 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski,' was informed by Edmond Grigoryan, a member of the criminal culture-bearing group he created and led, about a brawl that took place at a nightclub owned by Arman Varosyan and his brother Karen Varosyan, who is recognized as a criminal authority.

Following the incident on August 19, 2021, in the area of G. Nzhdeh Street in Gyumri, the aforementioned group members clarified the specifics of the incident. During this time, 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski' instructed those present to resolve private disputes in Gyumri solely by contacting individuals with the highest rank in the criminal hierarchy.

It was further noted that people committing hooliganism would face consequences from those of high rank in the criminal hierarchy, and the members of the group complied with his demands, thereby participating in the criminal culture and engaging in pursuits aimed at achieving its objectives.

According to the collected evidence, around 21:30 on the same day, at the intersection of Chaykovsky and Tamanyan streets in Gyumri, during a conversation regarding the aforementioned clarification, group members Tsolak Gevorgyan and Arman Varosyan relayed this order to Karen Varosyan. He expressed his disagreement with the directive, stating that he intended to continue living by the mandatory rules of the criminal culture.

Subsequently, 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski' organized the collection of monetary resources from various individuals and from the penitentiary institutions 'Armavir,' 'Sevan,' and others through clear delegation of roles among members of the criminal culture-bearing group, directing the illegal benefits obtained through this group.

On January 9, 2022, a member of the group received a total of 4,595,000 AMD, which he later transferred to group members Rafik Igitian and Tsolak Gevorgyan in Gyumri. After counting the money, they reported its amount to 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski' via telephone.

The latter instructed Igitian to transfer 5,000 USD from the money he was keeping to an individual known as 'Zapi Yegan Artyom Lenankanski' in connection with his release from a penitentiary. Later that day, around 18:00, Igitian delivered the mentioned sum to the specified person at his residence.

On March 7, 2022, 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski' directed Rafik Igitian, who was managing the fund movements, to transfer 10,000 USD to 'Zapi Yegan Artyom Lenankanski' as a customary practice due to his father's death. Igitian contacted his son, Ashot Igitian, instructing him to retrieve the 10,000 USD from the hiding place and to transport it to the designated location.

Ashot Igitian, also participating in the group, took the money from the hiding place, transported it, and handed it over to his father, who then transferred the amount to 'Zapi Yegan Artyom Lenankanski'.

During the investigation, in accordance with the law, a search was conducted at Rafik Igitian's residence, where 180,000 USD was found concealed in a fireproof cabinet. Additionally, a 'Beretta' handgun and 8 cartridges were found at Karen Varosyan's residence, and a substance resembling hashish oil was discovered at 'Zapi Yegan Artyom Lenankanski's' residence.

Based on the gathered sufficient evidence, criminal prosecution has been initiated against 'Pashi Tgha Suro Lenankanski' under Article 323, Part 2, Point 5 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, against Edmond Grigoryan, Ashot Igitian, Rafik Igitian, and Arman Varosyan under Article 324, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, and against 'Zapi Yegan Artyom Lenankanski' and Karen Varosyan under Article 322, Part 1 of the Criminal Code.

Criminal prosecution has been initiated against six of them, who have since been arrested. The pre-investigation continues.