As a result of complex operative-search measures and procedural activities carried out by the Main Directorate of Counterintelligence and the Main Directorate of Investigation of the National Security Service, another case of organizing illegal migration was detected.

A resident of Ashtarak city A.G. entered into a preliminary conspiracy with the director of the travel agency “SS travel” S.P. and the latter’s sister L.P. with the aim of organizing illegal migration of the RA citizens Z.M., A.M., A.M., Ye.M., S.M., after which, in pursuance of their criminal intents for mercenary purposes, in exchange for 20,000 US dollars in June 2023, under as yet unclear circumstances, produced for them fake birth and death certificates certifying legally significant facts and conferring rights, which, together with other documents Z.M., A.M., A.M., Ye.M., S.M., submitted to the embassy of one of the European countries in the RA at the end of June 2023 , and on their basis, after 10 days, the mentioned persons were granted visas to the Schengen countries.

On this fact, criminal proceedings were initiated in the Main Directorate of Investigation of the RA NSS under the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code. Within the framework of the mentioned criminal proceedings, public criminal prosecution was initiated against 6 persons, against 5 of whom a ban on leaving the RA was applied as a measure of restraint, and against A.G. - arrest for a period of 2 months.

During the preliminary investigation searches were carried out at the residence addresses of members of the criminal group involved in organizing illegal migration, in the travel agency “SS travel”, as a result of which pre-stamped forms of various organizations, counterfeit seals, documents, amounts paid for organizing illegal migration were discovered and other things and objects intended for the commission of a crime.

The correlation of the circumstances emerged as a result of the search suggests that the criminal group, in addition to the above 5 persons, also organized the illegal migration of many other citizens to Europe and the USA.

The preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings continues, necessary investigative actions and operative-search measures are being taken in order to clarify all the circumstances of the case, establish the full scope of the persons involved in the criminal groups and apply criminal legal measures against them.

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia urges the RA citizens, when leaving abroad and returning, to refrain from involvement in the processes of illegal migration, to exclude the use of counterfeit documents and the provision of large sums to persons organizing these processes illegally.

At the same time, the RA National Security Service calls on all citizens affected by the actions of this group to contact law enforcement bodies.

Note: anyone charged with a crime is considered innocent as long as his/her guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA - by the court decision entered into legal force.