Details on Armed Intrusion into Nor Nork Police Department Revealed

On March 24, 2024, around 17:00, a group of individuals entered the Nor Nork Police Department of the Republic of Armenia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, threatening violence and possessing explosive devices. In connection with this incident, a criminal investigation has been initiated under Articles 155, 308, and 335 of the RA Criminal Code by the main department for investigating crimes against the constitutional order and public safety of the RA Investigative Committee.

According to the Investigative Committee, in collaboration with the National Security Service of the RA and the Police Department, it was established that S.H., V.G., and A.M., holding anti-government views, aimed to disrupt the activities of public authorities and force officers of the Nor Nork Police Department to abandon their duties by entering the administrative building armed with two hand grenades each between 17:00 and 17:15 on March 24, 2024.

They threatened to blow up the building while brandishing the aforementioned grenades, including ones put into combat readiness, demanding the release of their associates, the opening of the duty section’s door, and the surrender of weapons stored there, posing a significant risk to the lives of individuals inside the building and potential severe harm to their health or property.

They encountered resistance from police officers, during which a grenade held by A.M. fell in front of the duty section, resulting in an explosion that damaged the entrance door of the police department's administrative building, as well as windows, walls, and ceiling of the duty room, causing material damage.

As a result of the explosion, V.G. and A.M. sustained injuries and were transported to a medical facility, while S.H., continuing their criminal intentions and holding the grenades, threatened for about two hours to detonate the police department's administrative building and carry out a revolution in Armenia. However, he was neutralized and disarmed by officers of the RA Police and the National Security Service.

S.H. and V.G. have been arrested on reasonable suspicion of crimes outlined in Articles 155, 308, and 335 of the RA Criminal Code. A.M.’s arrest was not possible due to health issues. In a short time, extensive investigative actions were performed, including the questioning of over ten individuals.

With the permission of the courts and with the assistance of the National Security Service and Police, 23 searches were conducted at the residences of the mentioned individuals and several other related persons, as well as at the office of the organization called “National Democratic Pole.”

During these searches, numerous documents and items of interest for the investigation were seized, including weapons, ammunition, plans, schemes, and substances resembling narcotics. Notably, two combat grenades and numerous documents of interest were discovered in the office of the specified organization.

Expert assessments have been appointed in explosive technical, forensic chemistry, material science, construction technology, commodity science, forensic medicine, and forensic biology, among others. Motions have been submitted to the supervising prosecutor to initiate criminal proceedings against S.H., V.G., and A.M. The preliminary investigation continues.