Interfax, Russia
Russia & CIS General Newswire
February 24, 2008 Sunday 5:23 PM MSK

Former Armenian official, Ter-Petrosian supporter held in Yerevan

YEREVAN Feb 24

Smbat Aivazian, the former head of the Armenian tax agency during the
presidency of Levon Ter-Petrosian, and two of his associates have
been detained in Yerevan.

An unknown person called police on Sunday saying that there were
armed people in downtown Yerevan, the press service of the Armenian
police said.

"Officers of the anti-organized crime department arrived at the scene
and found expandable clubs and a Makarov handgun in Aivazian’s car,"
the press service said.

Aivazian and two associates, both with previous convictions, were
taken to a police precinct, the press service said.