Man Accused of Demanding Sexual Relations from 13-Year-Old Girl Through Blackmail

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported that the investigation into a criminal case concerning the coercion of a person into sexual relations through blackmail has been completed by the Human Trafficking, Sexual Integrity of Minors, and Illegal Drug Trafficking Crimes Investigation Department.

“As a result of extensive investigations carried out during the pre-trial proceedings, several circumstances of the incidents have been clarified, including the identity of the individual alleged to have committed the crime. In the course of the investigation, it was specifically discovered that the man registered a profile on the social network 'VKontakte' under a female name and used it to communicate and correspond with a minor girl. During their interactions, he learned that the girl was 13 years old, yet continued to engage with her via the platform, convincing her to send him nude photographs. After receiving these images, the man sent messages from another profile he was using, exerting psychological pressure and blackmailing her to obtain several additional nude photographs.

Subsequently, under continued blackmail, he demanded that she engage in sexual relations with him, threatening to send the obtained photographs to her classmates and share them online if she did not comply, thus coercing the minor into sexual relations.

During the investigation of the criminal case, information was also obtained regarding the man coercing three other individuals into sexual relations through blackmail. He registered another profile on 'VKontakte' under a female name and communicated with a resident of Lori Province, exerting psychological pressure on her, blackmailing her, and demanding nude photographs, threatening to publish these images among her fellow villagers and relatives if she did not comply.

Additionally, the man used the same method to engage with another girl over 16 years old, persuading her into sending nude photographs. After receiving these images, he sent messages to the minor, exerting psychological pressure and blackmailing, demanding that she engage in sexual relations with him, threatening to distribute the received photographs online if she did not comply.

In another case, the same man communicated with a resident of Tavush Province on 'facebook.com', exerting psychological pressure, blackmailing, and demanding nude photographs. After receiving these photographs, he again blackmailed the woman, demanding sexual relations with him, threatening to release the photographs among her fellow villagers and relatives, thereby forcing her into sexual relations.

Based on the sufficient collection of evidence obtained in the case, the man has been charged under part 1 of Article 140 (three episodes) and part 2 of Article 140 of the RA Criminal Code. He has been taken into custody as a measure of restraint. The conclusion of the pre-trial investigation has been announced, and the criminal case has been sent to court with a statement of accusation,” the announcement stated.