‘Don Pippo’ Created and Led a Criminal Organization Disguised as a Security Company

The Special Investigation Department of the Republic of Armenia's Investigative Committee has completed the preliminary investigation regarding a case of hooliganism involving the use of weapons and participation in a criminal organization, focusing on one individual.

As a result of extensive investigative and procedural actions carried out during the preliminary investigation, it has been revealed and substantiated that A.A., a resident of Vagharchapat in the Armavir region, known by the nickname ‘Don Pippo’, and his wife's relative K.G., created and led a criminal organization in the same town aimed at regulating illegal influence, neutralizing the criminal activities displayed by various individuals considered their adversaries, their associates, and confidants. They recruited many of their close friends into the organization for the purpose of participating in organized crimes, including G.A., known as 'Gojhu Tgha Gugo' and others.

To disguise their criminal activities and to give a legal appearance to these actions, A.A. and K.G. established a security service company named 'Imperiya Security' in K.G.'s name, offering various people—especially athletes—employment there as security guards.

Members of the criminal organization illegally acquired various types of combat and non-combat firearms, assorted ammunition, and other military equipment, which they carried, transported, and stored at different locations, complicating the likelihood of their discovery.

In March 2021, relations between A.A. and persons considered his adversaries soured. Following this, spurred by an obsession to publicly punish them and seek revenge, on March 14, A.A. instructed members of the criminal organization to gather at a restaurant complex on Nalbandyan Street in Vagharchapat.

On the same day, around 21:00, members and supporters of the rival faction, totaling over 40 individuals armed with illegally acquired weapons, also arrived at the complex. Driven by the obsession to emphasize their superiority, individuals from both groups brazenly violated public order, disrupting the traffic on Nalbandyan Street in Ejmiatsin for 2-3 minutes, creating noise, using foul language, and engaging in mutual fights, during which at least three shots were fired at each other using 9mm / 9x19/, 9mm / 9x18/, and 5.6x15mm caliber firearms, as well as other weapons. Consequently, one of A.A.'s supporters sustained an injury to the head. Meanwhile, members of the rival faction assaulted K.G., delivering numerous blows to various parts of his body.

Member of the criminal organization G.A. opened fire on the participants of the opposing side using a previously secured ‘Winchester’ type weapon. As a result of these actions, employees of public establishments in the vicinity, residents of nearby residential houses and apartment buildings, and passersby were placed in a state of alarm. Following these actions, the alleged perpetrators fled the scene.

Based on sufficient evidence, one member of the criminal organization, G.A., was charged under articles 297, part 3, and 319, part 1 of the RA Criminal Code. The preliminary investigation concerning him has completed, and the materials of the criminal proceedings, along with the indictment, have been forwarded to the supervising prosecutor for approval and submission to the court.

Notice: The person charged with the crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, by a court judgment that has entered into legal force.