Court extends arrest of ex-deputy defense minister of Armenia Vahan Shirkhanyan

On August 12, the court has extended the arrest of ex- deputy defense minister Vahan Shirkhanyan, who was detained over the criminal case of the organized criminal group in Yerevan. His lawyer Hayk Alumyan says that Shirkhanyan himself was not present at the hearing for health reasons. "Shirkhanyan's health condition is very poor. He walks painfully. He is constantly being examined and diagnosed with more diseases," the lawyer says.  

Vahan Shirkhanyan, ex-deputy defense minister of Armenia, was detained on December 19,2015,  under the criminal case No.  58216515 over the armed group arrested in Nork-Marash district of Yerevan. The press office of the Armenian National Security Service reports that he was detained based on Article 129 of the Armenian Criminal Procedure Code. The source says Vahan Shirkhanyan is suspected of complicity in the actions of Arthur Vardanyan's armed group. He may face charges based on Article 223.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code (creation and participation in a criminal community).     

To note, as a result of investigative measures taken by the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, an organized criminal group intending to commit grave crimes in the territory of Armenia was disclosed on November 25. A citizen of Armenia Arthur Vardanyan, native of Yerevan, living in a foreign state, set up and managed a criminal group as soon as he arrived in Yerevan in 2015.  According to preliminary agreement, the group illegally acquired weapons and ammunition. On November 25, the joint measures taken with the Armenian Police found arms and ammunition, explosives, communication facilities and other things. As many as 10 people were arrested, with 11 more arrested later. During a private hearing on November 27, the regular court of Kentron and Nork Marash administrative districts of Yerevan sustained the motion of the National Security Service of Armenia (NSS) to use arrest as a measure of restraint against the gang members detained in Yerevan. The NSS  Investigative Department has instituted a criminal case based on Article 223 Parts 1 and 2 (creation of a criminal group or participation in a criminal community - imprisonment for 6-10 years), and Article 235 Part 3 (illegal acquisition, sale, keeping, transportation or bearing of weapons, ammunition, explosive compounds or explosive devices - imprisonment for 3-8 years) of the Armenian Criminal Code.  
Head of the Motherland and Honor Party Garnik Margaryan and the key shareholder of the Yeghvard Sport Shoes Factory OJSC Vladimir Arakelyan also face charges on suspicion of complicity in the activities of the armed group in Yerevan.