YEREVAN. - Former commander of Artsakh Defense Army Samvel Babayan and other arrestees have admitted their implication in the smuggling of Igla air defense system and informed details about the circumstances of the incident, the Office of the Armenian Prosecutor General said in a statement.

According to the statement, as a result of the actions carried out by the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, an exhaust tube and 9M39 missile, which are component parts of Igla air defense system, were found out on March 22.

The Investigative Department of NSS launched a criminal case into illegal acquisition, transportation and smuggling of ammunition under Articles 235 (2) and 235.1(2)(1) of the Criminal Code.

Three persons, including Samvel Babayan, were detained on March 22 on suspicion of taking part in the aforementioned crime.

The statement also says that although the persons guilty of the charges brought do not admit their guilt, during the interrogation in a status of suspect they, including Samvel Babayan, admitted their implication in the illegal arms trafficking and informed details about its circumstances.

Considering the motion of the body carrying out pre-trial proceedings as substantiated, the First Instance Court of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts enforced a precautionary measure of two-month arrest against him pursuant to the decision of March 24.

The investigation into the criminal case is underway.