From the aggressive war carried out from September 27th to November 09th, 2020 by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, as of 15.03.2021 in connection with the military, hostilities in Artsakh, on the fact of cases of illegal acquisition of weapons, ammunition and theft, 95 criminal cases were initiated under different Parts of Article 235 and Part 3 of Article 238 of the RA Criminal Code.

 

14 proceedings of these criminal cases were suspended on the basis of failure to find out the identities of the people, who committed the crime and the proceedings of 13 criminal cases were terminated.

 

The preliminary investigation of 63 criminal cases is still in process. Within the framework of the cases, the necessary investigative, procedural, operational-search measures were taken in order to obtain the detected weapons and ammunition, establish all the circumstances and identify the circle of persons involved in criminal acts.

 

The study of the materials of the criminal cases indicates that weapons, ammunition, explosives were acquired from various defensive regions of the Republic of Artsakh and were used or envisaged for the use in hostilities against the enemy during the 44-day war.

 

Mainly were found out and seized “AK74”, “AKM”, “AK-SU” rifles, pistols, bayonet knives, firearms with optical devices with high target hitting accuracy, anti-tank grenade launchers equipped with optical devices, bullets of various calibers, explosives and many other types of weapons.

 

The latter were transported to the territory of the Republic of Armenia during and after the war, mostly by hiding in cars. A significant part of the illegally acquired and transported weapons and ammunition were found mainly at checkpoints located on different sections of the Stepanakert-Goris highway, during the inspection of cars by law enforcement bodies.

 

As of March 15, 2021, for committing criminal acts stipulated by various parts of the aforementioned Articles of the RA Criminal Code by criminal cases investigated on the basis of the evidence obtained, 39 people were involved as accused. In relation to 9 of them, detention was applied as a measure of restraint, 26 - a recognizance not to leave, 2 - bail, 2 - transfer under the control of the command.

 

4 criminal cases against 6 people with the indictment were sent to court. 2 of them were sentenced to imprisonment for 1 year, 2 people - for 2 years, 1 person - for 4 years.

 

The trial of 1 case is still in process.