VIDEO: Journalist Arrested on Suspicion of Large-Scale Extortion

The Investigative Committee of Armenia is conducting necessary investigative and procedural actions to clarify the circumstances of the case of large-scale extortion by a journalist, as reported by the Committee's press service. The journalist has been arrested.

According to preliminary data, on June 18, 2019, a journalist from the "Armenian Time" editorial office visited the office of the deputy commander of the 1st police battalion of the Road Police Service. Introducing himself as a journalist, he claimed to have information about alleged unpaid tax obligations amounting to approximately 41,000,000 AMD related to the deputy commander's business activities. The journalist also informed the deputy commander that he was preparing to publish this damaging information in four media outlets and demanded a large sum of 800,000 AMD to refrain from publishing it, hinting that the requested amount could be reduced.

On June 19, 2019, at around 16:30, the journalist returned to the deputy commander's office and, using the previously mentioned threat, demanded and extorted 400,000 AMD. Following this, he was immediately apprehended by the officers of the Armenian Police Crime Investigation Department. During the site inspection, the 400,000 AMD received from the deputy commander was found in the journalist's bag.

A criminal case was initiated on June 19, 2019, based on Article 182, Part 2, Clause 3.1 of the Armenian Criminal Code, with the investigation being carried out by the Investigative Division for Serious Crimes of the Investigative Committee of Armenia. The journalist has been arrested on suspicion of large-scale extortion from the deputy commander. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.