Arrest Warrant Issued for 3 Individuals in Connection with the Expropriation of the Executive Head of 'Harsnaqar': Investigative Committee

The Investigative Committee of Armenia's specially important cases has reported significant developments following extensive investigative and procedural actions regarding the apparent self-justice and unlawful deprivation of liberty directed at the executive head of the 'Harsnaqar' hotel and restaurant complex owned by Ruben Hayrapetyan's family. This was informed by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

According to the data obtained during the investigation, H.S. has been working since August 27, 2015, as the executive head of 'Harsnaqar', a hotel and restaurant complex located in Gegharkunik Province along the Sevan-Dilijan highway, which is owned by Ruben Hayrapetyan's family and privately held by his son.

From December 2015 to July 2016, H.S. received a total loan of 52,000,000 AMD from the 'Armenian Bank' owned by the Hayrapetyan family, part of which was used to ensure the regular operation of the hotel-restaurant complex, while the remaining 30,000,000 AMD was used without the owners' consent to establish a taxi service business. Despite this, H.S. continued to meet his loan obligations.

After learning about H.S.'s loans in the name of 'Noralius', Ruben Hayrapetyan, along with his son Rafik Hayrapetyan and a group of individuals, organized an operation to illegally deprive H.S. of his freedom starting from July 26, 2016. This took place in one of the cottages of the 'Harsnaqar' complex, where they forcibly took his mobile phone and subjected him to continuous physical and psychological torture.

The threats escalated to include the use of physical violence, and H.S. was regularly assaulted until August 18, 2016. During this tumultuous period, his relatives, friends, and significant others came to the hotel complex, where Rafik Hayrapetyan, with the knowledge of Ruben, continued to make threats against H.S.'s life and health.

Ruben Hayrapetyan and others repeatedly demanded 120,000 USD under the pretense of H.S.'s debts. Feeling coerced by these threats, H.S. transferred a gold bracelet valued at around 500 USD, a Nissan X Trail vehicle valued at approximately 3,000 USD, and a vehicle financed with a 2,000 USD down payment, all of which they sold off. His family also sold personal jewelry to gather the remaining demanded funds.

As a result, an investigation has led to decisions against Ruben and Rafik Hayrapetyan under multiple articles of the Armenian Criminal Code. A search warrant for Rafik and two other accomplices has been issued, and requests to detain them have been submitted to the General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan.

It’s noteworthy that on May 19, 2020, Ruben Hayrapetyan contacted the investigating officer indicating that he was aware of a summons from the Investigative Committee, but was unable to return to Armenia due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. On May 20, 2020, the Armenian Investigative Committee requested assistance from the Armenian Embassy in Russia to facilitate his return. A flight from Moscow to Yerevan was scheduled for May 25, 2020, and the ambassador expressed readiness to support Ruben Hayrapetyan's return.

The investigation continues.