Vanadzor Resident Kidnapped and Robbed of Bank Loan Funds

The preliminary investigation into the cases of kidnapping a 26-year-old resident of Vanadzor, armed robbery, and attempted theft has been completed, as reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia. Following large-scale investigatory and operational measures, several circumstances and motives surrounding the incident have been clarified.

Specifically, the investigation revealed that on September 5, 2017, a 25-year-old resident of Vanadzor learned that a fellow citizen had received a loan of 300,000 AMD from a bank and, with the intent to steal the money, conspired with his friends. They invited the victim to a café and demanded that he hand over the money. After being denied, they kidnapped him through deception and violence, transporting him to a place called "Tʿež Lerr" in the Lori province, where they again used violence, hitting him with their hands and feet.

They then forced the victim to go to his residence in Vanadzor, threatening him with death to surrender the money. They forcibly removed his clothes and shoes and located and stole the significant sum of 300,000 AMD.

The investigation also revealed that the same 27-year-old learned that the victim was again receiving a loan from the bank and, in agreement with a group of individuals, attempted to openly steal the money on September 6, 2017, around 5 PM. They followed him after he left the bank.

Upon exiting the bank, they attempted to snatch the victim's bag by threatening him with a knife immediately in front of the bank. However, the 26-year-old managed to defend himself using a small household utility knife he had on him, repelling his attackers, who then fled the scene without completing the crime due to circumstances beyond their control.

Based on sufficient evidence collected, the young man born in 1992 has been charged under the Articles 131(2.1, 2.7), 175(2.1), and Article 34-176(2.1, 2.4) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

Considering the evidence obtained during the preliminary investigation against the 27-year-old was sufficient for sending the criminal case to court with an accusatory conclusion, this part of the case has been separated for individual proceedings, and the completion of the preliminary investigation has been announced. The criminal case with the accusatory conclusion has been forwarded to the prosecutor overseeing the legality of the preliminary investigation.