Armenian political analyst detained on suspicion of plotting murder
20.05.2013,
19:16
An Armenian political analyst, Arkady Vardanian, was detained Monday by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) on suspicion of plotting a murder.
YEREVAN, May 20. / ARKA /. An Armenian political analyst, Arkady Vardanian, was detained Monday by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) on suspicion of plotting a murder.
The NSS said in a statement today that on May 18 it detained Arsen Avetisyan and Arkady Vardanian, who are accused of plotting to kill Arsen Avetisyan's father Robert. According to NSS, Arsen Avetisyan and Arkady Vardanian planned to poison Robert Avetisyan in order to seize his property.
The NSS said it had obtained sufficient evidence to open a criminal case under points 7 and 8 of Section 35-104 of the Criminal Code (preparation of murder by a group of persons or organized group for mercenary ends). The investigation is being handled by the Investigation Department of the National Security Service.
Arkady Vardanian was engaged in business activities in Russia. In 2000, he organized a string of anti-government rallies in Armenia and unauthorized marches, for which he was subjected to administrative detention.
In 2013, Vardanian supported the so-called "greeting revolution" of Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian, who refused to recognize the results of the presidential election on February 18, won by incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan. -0-
