U.S. embassy working with Armenian law enforcement on case of terror attack plotted in country

Interfax - Russia & CIS Military Newswire
December 15, 2017 Friday 10:07 AM MSK


U.S. embassy working with Armenian law enforcement on case of terror
attack plotted in country

YEREVAN. Dec 15

The U.S. Embassy in Armenia is cooperating with Armenian law
enforcement agencies in the inquiry into the case of a terror attack
plotted by a U.S. citizen of Armenian descent in the country.

The U.S. embassy is working with Armenian law enforcers in connection
with this case, the diplomatic mission told Interfax. It is currently
unable to provide additional information in the interest of the
investigation, it said.

The Armenian National Security Service said earlier that it had
declared a U.S. citizen of Armenian descent wanted on suspicion of
preparations for terrorist attacks in the country.

In particular, it established that the U.S. citizen, who is an ethnic
Armenian, identified by the initials R.K., created a fake account
under the name Martin Avagyan on Facebook and published materials on
the founding of a group dubbed 'Fighters for Justice', on the tactics
of its activities, the disciplinary rules of its members, security and
confidentiality in September 2017.

"Calls to commit violence against representatives of Armenian law
enforcement agencies and officials, carry out explosions and acts of
arson thus creating an atmosphere of general fear were also
disseminated via the aforementioned account. R.K. pursued the
objective of destabilizing the situation in Armenia, intimidating the
population of the country, creating an atmosphere of fear, illegally
pressuring the state authorities," the National Security Service said.

"By means of recruiting people to commit acts of arson, explosions,
and other socially dangerous acts aimed at cause death or serious
bodily harm to law enforcement officers and other officials and create
an actual threat of the aforementioned consequences, the U.S. citizen
attempted to set up a criminal network, involving ethnic Armenians
living both in Armenia and outside the country," it said.

"Additionally, according to obtained evidence, the U.S. citizens
plotted terror attacks in Armenia via accomplices and by means of
advice, orders and provided funds. It was decided to bring charges
against the aforementioned person for an attempt to create a criminal
network and plot a terror attack. The court ruled to impose a
restrictive measure in the form of placement into custody on the
defendant, and he has been put on wanted lists," it said.

The relevant U.S. authority forwarded information on the suspect's
place of residence to the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office in
order to prevent the plotted crimes, while measures to identify and
detect his accomplices in Armenia are currently underway.