Woman Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia reports that a charge has been brought against a woman born in 1970 for subjecting a person to sexual exploitation, as well as committing the same act against a minor, within the framework of a criminal case investigated by the Human Trafficking, Sexual Integrity of Minors, and Illegal Drug Circulation Crimes Investigation Department.

In May 2019, a resident of Aragatsotn province filed a complaint with the Armenian police stating that the same woman, under the pretext of providing work, had taken her and her three minor children to her home, and against their will, under threats, compelled them to engage in prostitution.

A few days later, another minor resident reported an incident of exploitation by the same woman. Through a series of investigative and procedural actions conducted during the pre-investigation, it was revealed that the 48-year-old woman had learned in August 2018 about a woman who was homeless with three young children searching for a place to stay, and utilizing the vulnerability of the situation, she recruited the woman and her children into her home for exploitative purposes. Subsequently, to restrict the woman’s movement, she took possession of the woman’s passport and the children's documents, and through threats of expulsion from the house and non-lethal violence, including beatings, she forced the woman to engage in sexual relations almost every day, both in her home and in various hotel complexes in different regions, personally receiving and managing the money obtained from the various men she directed.

Additionally, in September 2018, knowing about a 16-year-old girl who was seeking employment away from parental control, she seduced the girl into deception and during the period until April 2019, organized meetings with various men both in her home and in various hotel complexes, thus subjecting the girl to exploitation in prostitution and independently managing the payment received for sexual services.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained, the 48-year-old woman has been charged under Articles 132, Part 1 and 132.2, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. A preventive measure of detention has been selected against her. The preliminary investigation continues. Considering the specifics of the criminal case, no further details will be made public.