Criminal network preparing terror attacks revealed in Armenia

The National Security Service of Armenia unveiled a criminal network whose purpose was to prepare and implement terrorist acts in the territory of the republic.

As the press service of the National Security Service informs, as a result of the operative and investigative measures it was established that R.K., a US citizen of Armenian descent, in September 2017, opened an account under the name of "Martin Avagyan” on Facebook where he published materials on the "Fighters for justice" group, its strategy, membership, rules of security, and confidentiality. Through the account, direct calls for violence against law enforcers and officials of Armenia were disseminated, calls to stage explosions, fires and with the help of such actions to create an atmosphere of general fear.

According to preliminary information, R.K. attempted to organize a criminal community with the aim of destabilizing the situation in Armenia, intimidating the people, creating an atmosphere of fear, influencing governmental agencies, killing or causing serious bodily harm to officials. His aim was also to recruit the perpetrators of these crimes, involving both Armenians living in Armenia and abroad. He also prepared, by means of accomplices, terrorist actions in the territory of Armenia with advice, instructions, and also financial means.

Under the criminal case initiated by the national security service, it was decided to name the US citizen as defendant under Part 1 of Article 34-223 and Clause 1 Part 3 of Article 35-217 of the Criminal Code, to remand in custody and put him on the wanted list. His whereabouts is already known, the Prosecutor General's Office forwarded the data to the competent US authorities to prevent the planned crime. The relevant units of the National Security Service are taking measures to identify R.K.'s accomplices in Armenia.