Samvel Babayan, Nagorno-Karabakh ex-Defense Minister, arrested in Yerevan

Photo: Pastinfo.am

At first, the Armenian news agencies reported about the arrest in Yerevan of the ex-commander of Karabakh Defense Army, ex-Defense Minister, Samvel Babayan, referring solely to confirmation from his friends, Hayk Khanumyan.

However, later, the National Security Service (NSS) released an official confirmation. As reported, ‘three people, including RA citizen, Samvel Babayan, have been arrested under the criminal case instigated into illegal smuggling of Igla anti-aircraft missile system.

As it is pointed out in the NSS press release, as a result of operative-investigative activities, the NSS obtained reliable information that individuals, who purchased and transported the anti-aircraft missile system components, acted by prior agreement with and on instruction of Samvel Babayan.

The NSS also provides expert opinion that 9M39 missile, which is part of the anti-aircraft missile system detected by the investigation, is suitable for operation.

The investigation is now trying to figure out the motives for procurement of anti-aircraft missile system components, a target of their potential use and a source of funding.

The NSS Investigation Department has launched criminal case on possible violation of Part 2, Article 235 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (illegal procurement, sale, storage, transportation and possession of weapons, ammunitions, explosive substances or explosive devices, by a group of individuals, by prior consent).