14-Year-Old Girl Abducted, Then Returned Home After Noticing Her Distressed State - Investigation Committee

The Investigation Committee of the Republic of Armenia has revealed the circumstances surrounding the abduction of a minor girl in the Gegharkunik region. The pre-investigation has been completed.

Within the framework of the criminal proceedings initiated on the basis of violations of residential inviolability and the abduction of a minor, facts have been established indicating that on July 31, 2022, around 10:00 PM, residents aged 19, 21, and 34 in the village of Pokr Masrik, Gegharkunik, approached one of the houses in the community in an 'Opel' vehicle driven by one of them.

The two younger individuals, intending to violate the inviolability of the residence and abduct a 14-year-old female resident born in 2008, disregarded the presence of her younger siblings and the absence of their mother, illegally entered the residence and demanded a meeting with the girl's mother, under the pretext of releasing the girl. Against her will, they removed the girl from the house, placed her in the vehicle, and drove her to a banquet hall in the Gegharkunik region.

Upon arrival, two of the young men exited the vehicle, while the 34-year-old man, noticing the girl's distressed state after some time, returned her to their home.

Based on sufficient evidence, charges have been brought against the 19 and 21-year-olds under points 3, 5, and 8 of part 2 of Article 191 and part 1 of Article 207 of the RA Criminal Code, while the 34-year-old man faces similar charges under the same articles. The 19-year-old has been remanded in custody as a measure of restraint, while the other two defendants are subject to a prohibition on leaving the country.

The pre-investigation has been completed, and the supervising prosecutor has confirmed the indictment, with materials being sent to the court for consideration of the case on its merits.

Notice: The party accused of the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code by a court decision that has become legally binding.