Charges Filed Against Three Individuals in Extortion Case

The investigation into an extortion case has concluded at the Tavush Regional Investigative Department of the Republic of Armenia’s Investigative Committee. Following a series of investigative and other legal actions conducted in the pretrial proceedings, significant circumstances surrounding the case have been revealed. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.

It has been established during the investigation that a man residing in Yerevan, possessing personal information about a resident of Ijevan, demanded a large sum of 600,000 AMD from the victim with the intent of committing extortion. He threatened to inflict violence upon the victim's relatives, as well as spread defamatory information at the victim's workplace and residence.

Feeling a real threat from these threats, in early December 2020, the victim transferred the demanded amount to the Yerevan resident.

Not satisfied with the amount received, the Yerevan resident, in collaboration with two acquaintances from Tavush, reached a preliminary agreement for extorting an even larger sum of 1,500,000 AMD in December 2020. The acquaintances threatened the victim with a knife, stating they would first cut off his fingers if he refused, and subsequently inflict harm on his relatives and spread defamatory information at his workplace.

To demonstrate their resolve in carrying out the threats, one of the individuals physically assaulted the victim, demanding compliance with the presented conditions, while the other prevented his escape by suggesting resolving the issue through gambling. Out of fear of real violence and threats, the victim agreed to pay the demanded amount and transferred 100,000 AMD to the Yerevan resident via a payment terminal on December 31, 2020.

Realizing he was in a hopeless situation, the Ijevan resident contacted law enforcement. On January 21, 2021, during the cash transfer of 500,000 AMD as orchestrated by the Criminal Police of the RA Police, the Yerevan resident was arrested.

The investigation revealed that the Yerevan resident had illegally acquired, possessed, and carried a 5.6mm caliber firearm made in an artisanal manner, along with two 5.6mm caliber ammunition intended for firing from rifled weapons, which were discovered during a personal search.

Based on the ample evidence collected, charges have been filed against the Yerevan resident under Article 182, Part 2, Clause 2 (two episodes), Clause 3.1, and Article 235, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, while the two residents of Tavush have been charged under Article 182, Part 2, Clauses 2 and 3.1 of the RA Criminal Code. They have been subjected to a signature not to leave as a preventive measure.

The preliminary investigation has concluded, and the criminal case, along with an accusatory conclusion, has been sent to court.

Note: The accused in the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court decision that has entered into legal force, in accordance with the procedural law of the Republic of Armenia.