Criminal Case Initiated for Demanding 34,000 Dram from Tourist

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the incident of demanding 34,000 dram from a tourist for transportation from "Zvartnots" International Airport to the "Marriott" hotel in Yerevan. This was confirmed in a conversation with "Armenian Times" by the public relations and media department of the RA Police.

The case has been launched under Article 178, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (Fraud through deceit or abuse of trust for significant theft of another's property). The case has been sent to the pre-investigation body.

Naida Harutyunyan, head of the information and public relations department of the RA Investigative Committee, also mentioned in our interview that the case is still in the investigative phase, and there is no suspect or accused yet.

It is noteworthy that the incident was first reported on Facebook by Suren Manukyan, head of the Comparative Genocide Studies Department of the "Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute" foundation. The tourist shared this information with a friend of Manukyan.

Along with the post, Manukyan also published a receipt from the "Aeroport Service" LLC taxi service, showing the 34,000 dram charge. He further clarified that this taxi was not some random vehicle but one of the official taxis from the airport.

The "Zvartnots" airport denied any connection with the "Aeroport Service" taxi service. Despite the fact that the tourist had already left the country and no complaint had been filed, the police reviewed Manukyan's publication. The identity of the taxi driver was established; he had been questioned at the "Zvartnots" police department.