Video: Individuals Preparing to Seize Power in Armenia Trained in Russia, Investigative Committee

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia has obtained information regarding preparations by a group of individuals to seize power by prior agreement. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.

Based on a proper notification of a crime, the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia initiated criminal proceedings under Articles 43-419 of the RA Criminal Code in the Main Department for investigating crimes against the constitutional order and public safety.

As a result of numerous investigative actions conducted in active and effective cooperation with the investigative body, including about three dozen searches and interrogations, sufficient factual data have been collected regarding Armenian citizens S.G., A.E., A.H., E.S., A.S., as well as former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh A.M., A.S., and other unidentified individuals. They have been found to be preparing to seize power in a group with the intention of deliberately creating conditions to take over the powers of the government of the Republic of Armenia through the application of violence and the threat of violence.

Specifically, these individuals, acting by prior agreement for the purpose of seizing power in Armenia, with a monthly compensation of approximately 220,000 Russian rubles for each, have conducted quarterly gatherings in the Russian Federation during which they became acquainted with new heavy weaponry, acquired skills in their use, and, upon returning to Armenia, were to carry out combat duty and pass on their knowledge to others. Throughout 2024, they collected several citizens of Armenia and former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The recruited individuals, organized by S.G., A.E., A.H., E.S., and other unidentified individuals, traveled in different groups to Rostov-on-Don, Russia, where they were further transported to another location by their accomplices in Russia, A.S., A.M., A.S., and unidentified individuals. There, they underwent preliminary checks, including through a polygraph device to determine their personal characteristics, political views, and connections to the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Armenia.

After the preliminary checks, the members of the criminal group placed the recruited individuals at a military base operating under the name "Arbat," led by A.S., and conducted military training exercises in a closed environment with known weaponry. Furthermore, they informed them that the purpose of the exercises was to return to the Republic of Armenia and remove the current government, calling for the cleansing and salvation of the Republic of Armenia.

After some of the recruited individuals opposed these statements and refused to participate in the armed coup being prepared in Armenia, S.G. and A.E. visited their location to address the emerging discontent and attempt to formally deny the organization of a plot to seize power in the Republic of Armenia. However, some of the recruited individuals refused to participate in the exercises and returned to Armenia, while S.G. and other members of the criminal group were unable to complete the crime due to circumstances beyond their control, as the crime was revealed by law enforcement agencies.

Criminal prosecution has been initiated against 7 individuals for this act. Three of them have been arrested, and a search has been announced for 4 others. Charges have been presented against the arrested individuals, and motions have been filed in court to select arrest as a measure of restraint, which have been granted. Active measures are being taken to identify other members of the criminal group.

Note: An individual accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court ruling that has entered into legal force, as established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.