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Several people have been released in the case of the armed gang detained in late 2015 by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS). In particular, a detained woman, Nelli Minasyan, was freed, her lawyer Givi Hovhannisyan told Panorama.am. The charge against N. Minasyan was not dropped and she was released on her own recognizance.

It became known earlier today that among those released are another two women – Lilit Torosyan and Srbuhi Aivazyan as well as two men – Hayk and Hrant Vardanyans.

The release of Lilit Torosyan was reported by Russian mass media as well. According to Interfax news agency, Torosyan worked at Mariam radio station in Armenia’s northwestern city of Gyumri. The station previously broadcast an interview of Arthur Vardanyan, leader of the detained criminal group. The radio’s website says Mariam Radio was founded in Italy and operates under the protectorate of the Pope. The radio station broadcasts in 70 countries, including Armenia (since 2012). Lilit Torosyan’s lawyer, Gegham Hakobyan, said that she was freed on her own recognizance by a decision of the investigator, while the court earlier extended A. Vardanyan’s arrest for two months. Arrests of the other members of the gang were also extended.

To remind, on November 25, 2015, a criminal group planning to commit a number of 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 over 20 members (including women) of the criminal group set up by him were arrested. 

On December 19, a former deputy defense minister of Armenia, Vahan Shirkhanyan, was detained as part of the criminal case.  NSS’s press service said V. Shirkhanyan was detained on suspicion of having committed a crime under Article 223 part 2 (participation in a criminal association) of Armenia’s Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a measure of restraint for Shirkhanyan.

On January 14, 2016, the chairman of Homeland and Honor Party, Garnik Margaryan, and the main shareholder of Yeghvard Sport Shoes factory Vladimir Arakelyan were detained on suspicion of participation in the criminal association set up by Arthur Vardanyan and in the possession and sale of arms and ammunition as members of the organized group.