Couple and Their Son Forced Minor into Labor, Causing Psychological Suffering, Investigative Committee

The Armenian Investigative Committee's forensic department has revealed the circumstances of a case concerning labor trafficking during the preliminary investigation of a criminal case that was initiated in response to allegations of forced labor. The Investigative Committee reports that extensive investigative and procedural actions have clarified the entirety of individuals suspected of committing crimes.

According to the investigation, the couple and their son, born in 2003, committed acts of human trafficking or exploitation from December 2018 to June 2019. They placed and kept a minor, who was deprived of the ability to fully comprehend the nature and significance of the crime being committed due to their age, in a state of exploitation, utilizing the victim's vulnerability through deceit and abuse of trust. They failed to pay the agreed amount for the work done, kept the minor in degrading and inhumane conditions, and threatened the minor with non-life-threatening violence to compel them to work.

Additionally, sufficient evidence has been gathered by the investigating body indicating that the couple's minor son and a woman working as a dairy maid at an animal farm intentionally caused psychological suffering to the minor victim in a nearby shack. Specifically, the son forced the victim to eat food scraps, while the dairy maid physically struck the victim randomly with her hands and feet, verbally abused them, and during these incidents, the family's minor son recorded everything on his mobile phone while ridiculing the victim.

Based on the combination of sufficient evidence, charges have been brought against the couple under Article 132.2, Part 2, Clauses 2 and 4 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, against their minor son under the same provisions, as well as Article 119, Part 2, Clause 5 of the Criminal Code. The dairy maid faces charges under Article 119, Part 2, Clause 5 of the Criminal Code. A measure of restraint has been selected for the accused, requiring them to post a signature to not leave the jurisdiction.

The preliminary investigation has been concluded, and the criminal case, along with a request for the approval of the accusation and forwarding to court, has been submitted to the prosecutor responsible for prosecutorial oversight and procedural management.

Notice: A person suspected or accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia through a legally binding court judgment.