As a result of the operative-search measures carried out by the officers of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, data have been obtained that former deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Araqel Movsisyan illegally keeps arms and ammunition on the territory belonging to him. Due to the activity of the law-enforcement bodies in the fight against crime, Araqel Мovsisyan, for the purpose of hiding the arms and ammunition, had transported and kept them in another place with the help of his trustworthy persons.
Based on the materials prepared on the basis of the data obtained as a result of the operative-search measures, the Investigation Department of the NSS of RA initiated a criminal case, according to the Article 235, part 2 of the RA Criminal Code, i.e. illegal procurement, transportation and keeping of weapons and ammunition committed by a group with prior agreement. Within the framework of the above-mentioned criminal case, on 21 June 2018 searches were carried out at Araqel Movsisyan’s house, as well as at the possible places where the weapons and ammunition had been transported and kept. As a result of the search, allegedly legitimate weapons and ammunition with the registration documents were found.
On June 21 Araqel Movsisyan was brought to the Investigation Department of the National Security Service, where irrefutable information on his involvement in illegal circulation of weapons was presented to him. The grounds for his exemption from liability in case of voluntary surrender of weapons were explained to him as well, and then, as a result of explanatory work, the latter expressed his readiness to hand over the weapons and ammunition illegally acquired and kept during the Artsakh War.
On the same day, at about 23:00, Araqel Movsisyan got from under the sand fill from two different hiding places on a desert area near Aygek village and voluntarily surrendered weapons and ammunition, particularly, two AKM assault rifles, one of which with a under-barrel grenade launcher, one RPK light machine gun, one Belka combined rifle, 3 hunting rifles, 162 bullets of different calibers.
Arakel Movsisyan was released on the grounds of voluntary surrender of weapons and ammunition. Preliminary investigation is underway, appropriate examinations have been ordered, measures are being taken to investigate the use of the detected weapons in other crimes.
The RA NSS reminds once again that according to the RA Criminal Code, the person who voluntarily surrendered weapons, ammunition, explosives and equipment is exempted from criminal liability, if there are no elements of other crime in his actions.
The National Security Service reaffirms that the fight against illegal weapons and ammunition will be of continuous nature and, accordingly, we call upon citizens to hand over the illegally stored ammunition to the law-enforcement bodies. (Video material)
Note: The suspect or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent as long as his guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA – by the court decision entered into legal force.

The National Security Service of Armenia has provided details on the searches at the house of former MP Arakel Movsisyan, aka Shmays. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the NSS Armenia, the NSS agents received information that Movsisyan keeps illegal weapons and ammunitions in territories belonging to him. Understanding the intense fight of law enforcement bodies of Armenia against crime, Movsisyan hid the weapons in other places with the help of people trusted by him.
On June 21 Arakel Movsisyan was taken to the National Security Service of Armenia, where he was familiarized with undisputable facts over his involvement in illegal arms circulation, as well as explained to him the grounds of avoiding standing accountable for it in case of surrendering the on voluntary basis. Arakel Movsisyan expressed readiness to surrender the weapons that he illegally acquired and kept since the Artsakh war.
On the same day Movsisyan showed the places where he kept he weapons - two assault rifles, one of which with a grenade launcher, a machine gun, rifles and bullets.
Arakel Movsisyan was set free on the basis of surrendering the weapons on voluntary basis. Examination is underway to find out if the weapons have been used in any criminal acts.