Video: Illegal Migration Organized by Criminal Group Exposed by NSS

As a result of comprehensive operational and investigative measures conducted by the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia in the Ararat region and the main investigative department, another case of illegal migration organization has been identified, as reported by the NSS.

Specifically, during the investigation, it was revealed through evidentiary and other procedural actions that A.M. and A.H., acting with prior agreement within a group, with a unified profit-driven intent, supplemented each other's actions with the assistance of A.P., had organized the illegal migration of a number of Armenian citizens in August-September 2023, demanding and receiving $5,200 from each for the purpose of obtaining entry and residence permits in the “Schengen Agreement countries.”

Furthermore, to obtain proper permits for entry to and residence in the “Schengen Agreement countries,” they included fraudulent documents in the application packages provided by a private entrepreneur, which conclusively proved legal status and rights, including false certificates regarding bank transactions, workplace details, income levels, and certificates for attending manicure courses. These documents were handed over to the aforementioned individuals, who submitted them to the competent authorities in Armenia to obtain the necessary permits, thereby facilitating the illegal migration of several individuals through the submission of forged documents by the criminal group.

During the investigation, searches were conducted at the residences of members of the criminal group engaged in organizing illegal migration and at their workplace, which is a tourist organization. These searches uncovered funds paid for organizing illegal migration, seals, forms, property rights certificates, information on employment and bank transactions, as well as numerous documents related to various individuals and other items and objects intended for committing the crime.

Based on the factual data obtained, decisions were made by the supervising prosecutor upon the investigator’s petition to initiate public criminal prosecution against three members of the criminal group under relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Of these, two were remanded in custody as a measure of restraint, while one was subjected to a prohibition of absence.

The investigation continues within the framework of the criminal proceedings, with procedural actions and operational measures being undertaken to clarify the complete spectrum of individuals involved in the criminal group, apply legal proceedings against them, as well as to uncover other cases of organizing illegal migration.