Resident of Sevan Abducted and Shot in Hand; Criminal Case Initiated

The Investigative Committee of Armenia is conducting an inquiry into the abduction of a citizen, as well as the infliction of severe physical pain or strong mental suffering, and the illegal acquisition, storage, and carrying of weapons.

On July 28, 2020, a resident of Sevan reported that on July 14, around 6:00 PM, a group of individuals forcibly abducted him on the 135.5 km segment of the Ijevan-Yerevan highway and took him to an unknown location, where one of them allegedly shot his right index finger with a firearm, intending to cause severe pain and psychological suffering.

A criminal case has been initiated at the Armenian Police under Articles 131.2(1), (2), and (3) (abduction of a person) of the Criminal Code, Article 235.1 (illegally acquiring, selling, storing, transporting or carrying weapons, military supplies, explosives or explosive devices), and Article 119.1 (causing severe physical pain or severe mental suffering). The case has been referred for further investigation to the Abovyan Investigative Division of the Kotayk Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

The resident of Sevan has been recognized as the victim and has been interrogated regarding the incident. Following urgent investigative and procedural actions and operational-search measures, several details regarding the event have been uncovered, including the location where the victim was held in illegal confinement for a prolonged period and the identity of one of the abductors, a Yerevan resident born in 1980.

Measures are being taken to verify the circumstances indicated in the testimonies, source of weapon acquisition, identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the alleged crime. Instructions have been given to the investigative body, and the preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Notice: A suspect in the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, by a court decision that has entered into legal force.