Gor Vardanian: Pyrotechnical items were obtained legally

President of the International Dukendo Full-Contact Karate Federation Gor Vardanian posted a statement on his Facebook page, commenting on mass media reports about the arms and ammunition found on the premises of the Federation during a search.

According to Gor Vardanian, the powers of Israel Sargsyan as head of the Federation’s security unit ended in December 2013 due to staff reductions.

Vardanian hailed the effectiveness of Armenian policemen’s actions aimed at solving the crime, adding that he was previously a police officer and believes that everyone is equal under the law.

The statement says that the Federation has over 150 schools in Armenia, over 200 coaches with black belts, and 8,000 karatekas.

“During my 20-year activities I proved that I have always been engaged in upbringing of the rising generation, promoting patriotism and state thinking. Linking my name and the name of organization led by me with a criminal underworld aims to damage my image, which is unfortunately not to some unsuccessful figures’ liking.

The pyrotechnical items found in the Federation were obtained legally: the documents were drawn up for their future use when making films,” Vardanian said.

According to him, he trusts law enforcement bodies and does not question their impartiality. Gor Vardanian promised to release details in the coming days.

We would remind you that as part of the investigation into the murder of Arthur Safarian, the brother of Tevos Safarian well-known in the criminal underworld, a search was conducted on the Karate Federation’s premises on Moskovian Street in Yerevan, by a decision of the court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash districts.

During the search, various arms and ammunitions were found, including about 800 grams of TNT (trotyl) explosives, 3 boxes of factory-made detonators, a 7.62 carbine, etc. The arms and pyrotechnical items were sent for tests.