‘Thief in Law’ Vitali Tbilisski Arrested; Investigative Committee Provides Details

The investigation continues into the incidents of hooliganism committed by two individuals with the highest rank in the criminal hierarchy and their supporters in the area adjacent to David Bek Street in Yerevan. The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported that several circumstances regarding the incident have been clarified, including the identities of 14 participants.

The actions of each participant have been individualized. According to the investigation, on November 17, 2023, around 16:00, the driver of a ‘Mercedes’ vehicle, identified as H. Sh., and his passenger, known by the nickname Arsen Yerevanski (A. M.), along with a group of individuals, engaged in a dispute with V. A., also known as Vitya Tbilisski, who was in a ‘Toyota’ vehicle, along with one of its passengers.

During the dispute, the participants exhibited blatant disrespect towards society, grossly violating public order, engaging in mutual physical assault, and shouting obscenities at one another. Previously, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against A. M. and 11 supporters involved in the incident under point 1 of part 2 of Article 297 of the RA Criminal Code.

Two additional individuals who were present in the ‘Toyota’ vehicle have been identified, one of whom is V. A., and the other is M. Sh. The ‘Toyota’ vehicle has also been found and presented to the investigating authority. During a personal search of V. A., a crystalline substance was discovered, and gun-like objects were found in the Toyota vehicle, marked MY 2245 and YT 3014.

Judicial-chemical and forensic examinations have been appointed. According to the experts' conclusions, the substance found during the search of V. A. is a significant quantity of methamphetamine, while the gun-like objects are PM (Makarov) model pistols of caliber 9 mm, designated MY 2245 and YT 3014, along with 16 rounds of 9 mm ammunition found, qualifying as military ammunition.

A criminal proceeding has been initiated under part 1 of Article 335 (2 episodes) and part 3 of Article 396 of the RA Criminal Code. For a comprehensive examination of the facts, these have been combined with the ongoing investigation initiated under part 3 of Article 297, part 1 of Article 324, and point 5 of part 3 of Article 324 of the RA Criminal Code.

Public criminal prosecutions have been initiated against M. Sh. and V. A. Based on sufficient grounds for direct suspicion in committing the aforementioned criminal acts, the investigating authority has decided to arrest M. Sh. and V. A., and they have been placed under restraint.

V. A. has been charged under point 1 of part 2 of Article 297 and part 1 of Article 335 (2 episodes), and part 3 of Article 396 of the RA Criminal Code, while M. Sh. has been charged under point 1 of part 2 of Article 297 and part 1 of Article 335 (2 episodes).

A motion has been submitted to the court to apply arrest as a measure of restraint against them. The motion regarding V. A., who holds a high rank in the criminal hierarchy, has been granted, and he has been arrested, while the court has chosen house arrest as a precautionary measure for M. Sh. The investigation continues.