In the period from September 27, 2020 to December 1, 163 cases of obtaining, selling, transferring and keeping illegal weapons, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices during the aggressive war unleashed by the Republic of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia from September 27, 2020 to November 9. 50 criminal cases have been initiated according to different parts of Article 235 of the RA Criminal Code. As of December 1 all the criminal cases are in the phase of preliminary investigation, necessary investigative, other procedural and operative-investigative measures have been undertaken in order to find illegal weapons and ammunition, other people involved in criminal actions and the fact of selling weapons and ammunition. As of 1 December, preparation of materials with 52 cases has continued.

 

The examination of the materials followed that weapons, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices have been obtained from different defensive zones and were foreseen or were used in military actions against the enemy. By means of hiding them generally in the cars leaving from Artsakh, the weapons and ammunition (“AK” rifles, bullets of different caliber, explosive grenades, knives that are cold weapons) were transferred or it was tried to be transferred to Armenia in some cases with prior consent and cooperation of several people in a group. Most of these weapons and ammunition were found mainly by relevant law enforcement officers on duty on different sections of Stepanakert-Goris highway, as well as in the result of operative-investigative measures.

 

As of 1 December, 2020, 12 people have been involved as defendant for committing criminal actions under different parts of Article 235 of the RA Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a precautionary measure (detention against 1 defendant was abolished by the Criminal Court of Appeal of the RA), 3 people were recognized not to leave as a measure of restraint.

 

The RA Prosecutor’s Office, calling the citizens who may have illegally transported weapons, explosives or devices from the Republic of Artsakh to the Republic of Armenia during the hostilities or after the ceasefire was established, exhorts them to voluntarily give them to the RA Police, which, if appropriate, leads to be released from criminal liability. Such a responsible civil attitude will significantly combat and reduce the criminal risks in the country, prevent or reduce the possible crimes by means of firearms.

 

The contrary conduct will be subject to harsh legal assessment and will result severe criminal liability for those who illegally transfer, possess or sell weapons.

 

It should be reminded that the RA Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan had earlier addressed letters to the Director of the RA National Security Service and the Chief of Police in regard with the cases of illegal trafficking of weapons, their use, as well as the possible preparatory, preventive and detective measures to be undertaken to prevent and detect crimes.