30 October 2017, 14:51
NKR's ex-Defence Minister refutes involvement in bringing missile complex to Armenia
Samvel Babayan, a former Defence Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has stated in court that he had not taken part in the illegal purchase of the shoulder-held surface-to-air missile complex "Igla" (Needle) and its importation into Armenia.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 22, the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia announced the detention of two people from whom the above "Igla" were confiscated. Babayan was also arrested within that case.
According to his story, on March 18, he was visited by his friend Sanasar Gabrielyan, who showed him a photo of the "Igla" launch pad and asked for his opinion on whether the army might need it.
"He showed me the photo, because I know weapons," Babayan said, adding that he had warned Gabrielyan about the illegality of arms trafficking.
Earlier, Sanasar Gabrielyan confessed to the court that he had acquired the portable "Igla" missile system himself for the needs of the NKR's Defence Army.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
