Four Individuals Charged in Case of Kidnapping a 20-Year-Old Girl Twice

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has reported that four individuals have been charged in connection with the kidnapping of a 20-year-old girl in the Syunik province. The investigation, being conducted by the Goris investigative division, has revealed that a 22-year-old resident of Goris, along with a group of accomplices, kidnapped the same girl on two occasions – December 18, 2020, and January 18, 2021, by employing violence.

The investigation established that the young man had premeditated the kidnapping in order to forcefully marry the victim. Initially, on December 18, 2020, during the hours of 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, he and two accomplices pursued the girl as she was on her way to work using an “OPEL ASTRA” vehicle. They forcibly abducted her by physically restraining her — holding her hands and feet — and ignored her pleas to be let go, transporting her against her will to a location within Syunik province. The girl later managed to return home with her parent’s help.

Approximately a month after the first abduction, on January 18, 2021, after receiving another rejection from the girl, the young man conspired with two relatives to carry out a second kidnapping for the same purpose. At around 11:00 AM that day, they pursued the girl again, this time on her way to university with a friend. They physically removed her friend from the situation to prevent her intervention, then violently abducted the girl, forcing her into the rear seat of their car and transporting her to a different location in Syunik province.

During the preliminary investigation, necessary investigative and procedural actions have been carried out, including inspections of the crime scene and the vehicle used for the abduction. The 20-year-old girl has been recognized as a victim and has been questioned. To clarify significant circumstances for the criminal case, expert examinations have been initiated, and additional questioning and confrontations have taken place.

Based on sufficient evidence collected, the young man, his two friends, and one relative have been charged under Article 131, Part 2, Clause 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (kidnapping). A motion has been submitted to the court to apply detention as a preventive measure against them. Measures are being undertaken to present another relative to the prosecuting authority. Orders have been given to the investigative body. The investigation continues.