Details added (first version posted on 14:56)
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 21
Trend:
The National Security Service of Armenia has announced that it prevented terrorist attacks in Yerevan, RIA Novosti reported.
Reportedly, the security services detained two citizens, who planned to blow up 100-150 bombs in public places.
"According to the received information, two Armenian citizens, who had links with sentenced opposition politician Zhirayr Sefilian and the Sasna Tsrer group, an armed group that seized a regiment of Patrol-Guard Service of the police in Yerevan back in 2016, established a criminal community and headed it. They aimed to blast a number of places of social significance, by installing 100-150 self-made remotely controlled explosive devices," the Service said.
The two planned to commit terrorist acts particularly at Freedom Square in Yerevan and Dalma Garden Mall shopping and entertainment center, as well as blow up vehicles and bridges near road communications and houses to create an atmosphere of fear and impose unlawful pressure on the authorities.
The organizers of the criminal community produced and tested an explosive device. They also tried to recruit other persons to realize their plans, according to the Service.
"The National Security Service's officers conducted 19 searches in apartments and cars of individuals and revealed powder charges, electronic detonators, wicks and other elements of hand-made explosive devices. The two organizers along with four of their alleged accomplices were detained, " the Service said.
A criminal case filed into the case on articles on creation of a criminal community or participation in it, preparation of a terror act by an organized group, illegal circulation of arms, ammunition and explosives, and manufacture of weapons by an organized group.
The maximum sanction under the specified articles is imprisonment up to15 years.