ARMED GANG MAY INVOLVE EMPLOYEES OF SECURITY FORCES – ARMENIA’S POLICE CHIEF
news.am
Aug 25, 2011
Armenia
YEREVAN.- Chief of Armenia’s police Alik Sargsyan does not exclude
that an armed gang committing theft in Yerevan may involve former or
current employees of the security forces.
They are trying to avoid all the mistakes that make criminals at the
scene, he told journalists on Thursday.
Sargsyan also labeled thefts as racketeering, the assessment previously
given by prosecutor’s office.
He said that an investigative group involving the best employees of
the system was set up.
“I just want to assure you that we will solve the case shortly because
it is fraught with far more complicated and dangerous consequences. We
have some data that should be studied seriously,” he added.
Armenia’s Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan ordered on Wednesday
to consolidate cases on five robberies committed in the capital and
carry out a joint preliminary inquiry.
He instructed central investigation department of the Armenian police
to carry out an investigation. Hovsepyan stressed an armed gang is
carrying out attacks in Yerevan.
During the Tuesday meeting chaired by Hovsepyan thefts committed in
several districts of Yerevan were discussed. All the attacks were
carried out early in the morning, around 4:30-6:00 a.m. The number
of offenders was 4-5, they were all dressed in black, wearing black
masks and gloves, and were armed.
The criminals have recently attacked several houses, including those
of renowned people, among them former MP Napoleon Azizyan. Criminals
beat up members of his family, stole money, jewelry and precious
paintings threatening with a gun.
Earlier in June five people carried out an armed assault on a mansion
belonging to former director of one of the programs of the Lincy
foundation Karen Bezoyan.
Three people wearing masks attacked the house belonging to former
head of one of Yerevan districts Aghvan Grigoryan in July.