26-Year-Old Engages in Indecent Acts Towards Minors via Social Media

The Special Investigative Service of Armenia has completed the investigation into a case concerning the indecent acts committed by a 26-year-old individual against minors, using social media platforms.

This investigation was concluded by the Anti-Trafficking and Child Sexual Integrity Protection Unit of the Special Investigative Service, concerning attempts to commit indecent acts against individuals under the age of twelve, as well as incidents involving individuals over the age of eighteen committing similar acts towards minors under fourteen.

The accused is a resident of Charentsavan, born in 1994, who had created a personal page on Facebook to virtually satisfy his sexual needs. He engaged in indecent communications with various adult women, sending them nude photographs of himself and participating in lewd conversations.

Furthermore, during the course of the investigation, it was revealed that in the spring of 2019, he had also been in communication with a minor girl born on July 5, 2006. Aware that he was conversing with a 12-year-old, he continued the interactions with the intention to engage in indecent acts in order to satisfy his sexual needs and instill unhealthy sexual interest in the girl, sending her explicit photos and messages related to sexual matters.

Among the evidence collected through comprehensive investigations, there were indications of attempts to engage in indecent acts towards another minor. In June 2019, the 26-year-old identified another victim on social media, under the impression that he was conversing with a 9-year-old child born in September 2009. He intended to stimulate the child's sexual instincts by sending nude photos. However, during further correspondence, he discovered that he was actually communicating with the child's parent, thus preventing the completion of the crime under unforeseen circumstances.

Based on the combination of sufficient evidence obtained throughout the case, the young man has been charged under the provisions of Article 34, Part 3, Clause 2, as well as Articles 142, Part 2, Clauses 3 and 6 of the RA Criminal Code. The preventive measure selected for him is a signature guaranteeing that he will not leave.

The completion of the pre-trial investigation has been announced, and the criminal case has been forwarded to the prosecutor responsible for overseeing the legality of the pre-trial investigation, along with a motion to confirm the accusatory conclusion and send the case to court.