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

The Investigative Committee of Armenia's forensic department has uncovered details surrounding a case of labor trafficking, following extensive investigative and procedural actions during the pre-investigation stage of the criminal case.

According to the committee, it has been established through comprehensive examination that a couple and their son, born in 2003, engaged in human trafficking or exploitation in the form of forced labor from December 2018 until June 2019. They reportedly placed and kept the minor, who was deprived of the capacity to fully control the nature and implications of their actions, in a situation of exploitation by taking advantage of their vulnerability, exploiting them through deception and trust abuse, failing to pay for the work performed, which was agreed upon orally beforehand, and maintaining them in degrading and inhumane conditions. Additionally, the mother and son allegedly used threats of violence that posed no danger to life or health against the minor to compel them to work.

Furthermore, sufficient evidence has been gathered indicating that in 2018, the couple’s underage son and a woman working as a dairy worker intentionally inflicted psychological suffering on the minor victim in a shack adjacent to the farm. Specifically, the son forced the victim to eat food scraps, while the dairy worker physically assaulted the victim without cause and insulted them, all while the family's underage son recorded the incidents on his mobile phone, subjecting the victim to ridicule.

Based on the combination of collected evidence, charges have been filed against the couple under points 2 and 4 of Part 2 of Article 132.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia; against their underage son under points 2 and 4 of Part 2 of Article 132.2, and point 5 of Part 2 of Article 119; and against the dairy worker under point 5 of Part 2 of Article 119. The preventive measure selected for the accused is a signature not to leave.

The pre-investigation has been completed, and the criminal case has been forwarded to the prosecutor for supervision and procedural leadership with a motion for approval of the indictment and transfer to court.