The authorities are afraid of Samvel Babayan’s “pipe”

On March 22 it became known that Samvel Babayan, the former Chief of Defense Forces, was arrested. The reason was also found out: according to the message spread by the NSS of the Republic of Armenia, he tried to smuggle the antiaircraft missile complex “Igla” from the Republic of Georgia to Armenia.

They are sure in NSS that it was Samvel Babayan who was trying to import this weapon to Armenia.

It should be mentioned, that the antiaircraft missile complex “Igla” costs 40 000-60 000$$ in the market, and if we think deeper, it could be a patriotic step: Samvel Babayan has not dilapidated this money in casinos, has not bought any apartment abroad, has not given any bribe for the elections, but spent the money to defend his country.

According to the media, Georgia has denied the message of the NSS of the Republic of Armenia about transporting any weapons through their country. Also they had not noticed any lorry from Russia to Armenia with suspicious cargo. Media had these messages, but there is nothing official. Anyway…

First let’s mention that the weapon the NSS shows is just a pipe of certain length that is presented as part of arm that could be a weapon if all parts are collected. It means that this pipe is not a weapon yet but only a “pipe”.

As for the transportation through Georgia, it is known that Armenia cannot transport any weapons through Georgia: it is prohibited at the State level. Either the antiaircraft missile complex “Igla” has been bought in Georgia, if there is such market of “pipes” there, or it is imported from Russia.

It is unlikely that Georgia had allowed to transport such a “pipe” from Russia to their country, let alone the antiaircraft missile complex “Igla”, moreover, Georgia does not seem to have a “pipe” market.

And even if Samvel Babayan could overcome all these obstacles, he should be given a medal: such an impossible thing deserves a reward. Anyway…

Usually weapons trade is regulated by interstate agreement, even the second country which sells the weapon to other country, must have the manufacturer’s authorization, even if it is just a “pipe”.

The conclusion is that this “pipe” has nothing to do with any citizen of the Republic of Armenia, especially with Samvel Babayan.

And who needed the arrest of Samvel Babayan?

Let’s remember, by the way, that on the same day, March 22, 2000, Samvel Babayan was arrested because of the assassination attempt of Arkady Ghukasyan, president of Artsakh.

So it is unclear if he was guilty or not.

Also let’s add that, according to the media, the authorities learned that before april 2 Samvel Babayan, the shadow leader of ORO coalition, is planning “Sasna Tsrer 2”, and drastic steps and actions from NSS are possible, including arrests.

It is already a sign that the authorities are afraid of Samvel Babayan, precisely of ORO coalition, and they have problems with Samvel Babayan during preelections.

It is not clear what are the authorities precisely afraid of. Samvel Babayan definitely would not bring “pipe” to Armenia to organize “Sasna Tsrer-2”.

P.S. Samvel Babayan is an active participant in the national liberation movement of Nagorno Karabakh. He was arrested in 1991 and spent about six months in prison in Baku.

In 1992-1993 he was one of the leaders of armed forces. He participated in the development and implementation of the liberation of Shushi.

From November 1993 till December 1999 Samvel Babayan was Chief of the Defense Forces of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. His signature is on the Bishkek’s protocol about RNK, Azerbaijan and Armenia trilateral ceasefire agreement in 1994.