NSS Comments on Statement Regarding Importing Hundreds of Criminal Elements from Russia

The National Security Service of Armenia has responded to a request from Sputnik Armenia regarding the statement made by the chairman of the "Free Citizen" NGO, Hovsep Khurshudyan, about the importation of criminal elements from Russia.

Khurshudyan stated on public television that in the last 1-2 months, hundreds, if not thousands, of criminal elements have been imported into Armenia from Sochi, Abkhazia, Krasnodar, and Moscow.

The NSS clarified that their activities are carried out within the framework of the functions reserved by law. "At the same time, we clarify that if specific factual data regarding committed or prepared crimes are available, you can submit a proper report on the actual crime," the response stated.

It is noteworthy that Khurshudyan also wrote on his Facebook page that "based on verified information," a wealthy Armenian from Moscow has financed a group of Russian transgender women to travel to Yerevan to incite provocations.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee of Armenia stated in response to Sputnik Armenia's inquiry that it continues to investigate reports of 12,000 "wagoners" in Armenia.

Protests began in Armenia when it became known on April 19 that Yerevan and Baku had agreed to start demarcation from Tavush. Members of the "Tavush for the Motherland" movement and their supporters decided on May 4 to march from Kiran village to Yerevan. They reached the capital on May 9, where a rally was held at Republic Square. The movement's leader, Bishop Bagrak, gave Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan one hour to resign, which did not happen. He then called for peaceful acts of disobedience to begin throughout the republic starting May 10.