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A former deputy defense minister of Armenia, Vahan Shirkhanyan, was detained today as part of a criminal case investigated by Investigative Department of the National Security Service of Armenia (NSS). Shirkhanyan was detained under article 129 (detainment of a person suspected in immediate commitment of crime) of the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia.

According to the press service of NSS, V. Shirkhanyan is suspected of participation in a criminal association created by Arthur Vardanyan. In particular, he was detained on suspicion of having committed a crime under Article 223 part 2 (participation in a criminal association) of Armenia’s Criminal Code.

To remind, on November 25 a criminal group planning to commit a number of a grave crimes in Armenia was detained by  the National Security Service of Armenia. The Investigative Department of NSS opened a criminal case under the Criminal Code’s Article 223 parts 1 and 2 (creation or leadership of a criminal association, and participation in a criminal association) and Article 235 part 3 (illegal procurement, transportation or carrying of weapons, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices by an organized group). Arthur Vardanyan and 20 members of the criminal group set up by him were arrested.