As a result of complex operative-search measures and procedural actions carried out by officers of the Main Directorate of Protection of Constitutional Order and Fight against Terrorism of the RA NSS and the Main Directorate of Investigation of the RA NSS detected a case of preparation of usurpation of power by prior conspiracy as part of a group.

Thus, as a result of evidentiary and other procedural actions carried out during the preliminary investigation, it was established that members of “Khachakirner” Military Patriotic NGO S. Kh., K. D., D. T., V. M., M. M., G. N., A. H., as well as A. B. and other persons, having anti-governmental views, ideological hostility towards the members and head of the RA government, having entered into a preliminary conspiracy with each other, reached an agreement to usurp power with using weapons and ammunition stored in their possession as an instrument of crime through the use of violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of its use, in particular, to seize the powers of the government of the Republic of Armenia in another way not provided for by the Constitution.

As a result, the members of the criminal group, in order to commit a crime with direct intent, acquired telecommunications equipment, equipment for jamming telephone and other communications, means and instruments facilitating the commission of the crime, as well as deliberately created other conditions, thereby preparing to commit the usurpation of power by prior conspiracy as part of a group, however, due to circumstances beyond their control, they were unable to begin committing the objective side of the crime, including intent, namely, the especially serious crime that had been prepared was detected and prevented by officers of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia.

Based on the existence of a directly arose reasonable suspicion of committing a crime on the basis of sufficient factual data obtained within the framework of criminal proceedings, eight members of the criminal group were detained, public criminal prosecutions were initiated on the grounds of Article 43-419, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, and charges were brought.

At the same time, searches were carried out at the residence addresses of members of the criminal group and at the workplaces of the non-governmental organization, as a result of which weapons were discovered, including firearms, ammunition, air pistols, body armor, telecommunications equipment, computers, notebooks containing various records, documents, etc.

The preliminary investigation continues, procedural actions and operative-search measures are being carried out to clarify all the circumstances of the case, the full range of persons involved in the criminal group, and to apply criminal-legal measures against them.

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.