How Ruben Hayrapetyan and His Son Deprived the Director of 'Harsnakhari' of Freedom and Wealth: Investigative Committee

The investigation by the Special Investigative Service of the Republic of Armenia has concluded regarding the case against Ruben Hayrapetyan, his son, and their associates on charges of self-justice, illegal deprivation of liberty, causing severe physical pain and psychological suffering to the executive director of the 'Harsnakhari' restaurant-hotel complex owned by Hayrapetyan's family, as well as extortion.

According to the information provided by the Investigative Committee, the 30-year-old resident of Yerevan had been working as the executive director of the 'Harsnakhari' restaurant-hotel complex, which is owned by Ruben Hayrapetyan's family, since August 27, 2015. From January 20 to May 27, 2016, he secured loans totaling 57,500,000 Armenian drams from the Development Bank of Armenia, part of which was intended for regular operation, while another part was allegedly misappropriated.

On July 26, 2016, upon learning that he had used 20,000,000 Armenian drams for personal needs without their permission, father and son, along with accomplices, took the young man against his will from the complex and subjected him to severe physical and psychological abuse, threatening him with further violence while demanding repayment of the loan amount.

During his captivity, the young man was forced to call his family, from whom they demanded various assets under duress, including cash, jewelry, and vehicles. The pressure and varied forms of violence inflicted severe suffering on the victim.

Ultimately, sufficient evidence led to the indictment of Rafik Hayrapetyan under multiple serious charges related to causing severe physical and psychological pain, illegal deprivation of liberty, and extortion. Charges were also levied against two of his associates. Their case has been separated into a different legal process with the investigation completed and presented to the prosecutor.