Kidnapping of Former MP's Father for Ransom: Police Release Names

The police have issued a statement regarding the kidnapping of Grisha Kokobelyan, the father of former MP Khachatur Kokobelyan, which we present below.

“On the morning of July 27, the Ijevan police department received a report that 83-year-old Grisha Kokobelyan, a resident of Tavush province, had gone missing. Various police units initiated measures to locate him.

As a result of actions taken by the officers of the Main Criminal Police Department, information emerged indicating that Grisha Kokobelyan had not merely gone missing, but had been kidnapped.

During efforts to uncover the crime and identify the perpetrators, an unidentified person established contact with Grisha Kokobelyan's relatives and demanded money in exchange for his safe return. Following the receipt of a certain amount, Grisha Kokobelyan was released on August 2.

Thanks to widespread operational-investigative activities undertaken by the officers of the Main Criminal Police Department, the Tavush regional department, and the Ijevan division, it was determined that the crime was organized and committed by 37-year-old Suren M. and 25-year-old Armen K., residents of Ijevan. They were located, arrested, and presented to the investigatory body on August 11.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the incident. The circumstances are being clarified through the investigation. We will provide detailed coverage of the developments soon.