Alleged coup attempt thwarted in Armenia: 3 people arrested
A group identified as preparing for a coup was arrested and sent to prison between September 18-19.
12punto
In Armenia, 3 people have been arrested and sent to prison on charges of attempting a coup against the Pashinyan government. Additionally, arrest warrants have been issued for 4 others.
According to a written statement by the Investigative Committee of Armenia, an investigation was launched into 7 individuals—5 from Armenia and 2 from the 'de facto' Armenian state of the Republic of Artsakh in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region—on suspicion of preparing to seize power through illegal means, following an investigation and searches.
The investigation determined that these individuals had formed an illegal group and were making preparations to seize power by force, intending to take over the authorities of the Republic of Armenia government through violence and threats.
IS RUSSIA BEHIND THE COUP ATTEMPT?
It was understood that these individuals had conspired in advance to seize power, organizing numerous people from Armenia and the former Karabakh region in 2024 to overthrow the government.
The investigative committee's statement indicated that these individuals were taken to Rostov-on-Don, where they were subjected to polygraph tests by the coup plotters to determine if they had any ties to Armenian law enforcement.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the 2021 coup attempt in Armenia (source: AA)
CLAIMS OF 'TRAINING IN RUSSIA'
It was determined that the individuals provided three-month training sessions in Russia to their contacts in exchange for 220 thousand Russian rubles per month (approximately 2,350 dollars).
According to the report by Armenian authorities, these individuals received training at a military base in Russia called 'Arbat'. It was announced that those trained for the coup were taught how to use heavy weapons and were instructed to participate in operations and train others upon their return to Armenia. They were told at the Arbat Military Base that they were being trained to carry out a coup.
It was noted that some individuals who underwent the training refused to participate in the coup and left, and the coup attempt was uncovered as a result of the investigation by law enforcement.
It was announced that 3 people have been arrested by the court within the scope of the investigation, and that research is ongoing to determine if there are more people involved in the coup attempt.