Galstyan Established Phone Communication with T. A and Demanded 53,806,500 Drams: Investigative Committee

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia is conducting an investigation into serious crimes by virtue of Articles 44-296 (Part 3, Subpart 3) and 258 (Part 3, Subpart 3) of the Criminal Code regarding instances of extortion in a group with particularly large amounts.

Significant facts have emerged during the pre-investigation phase. Specifically, through extensive investigative and evidentiary actions, it has been established that Artak Galstyan, the President of the 'Public Voice' party, and Vardan Ghukasyan, the Honorary President of the same party, had a prior agreement regarding extorting a particularly large amount from T. A.

On March 23, 2022, A. Galstyan contacted T. A and demanded an amount equivalent to 110,000 USD, amounting to 53,806,500 AMD, threatening that if not paid, damaging and reputation-harming information about him and his wife would be published during the 'Public Voice' show conducted by V. Ghukasyan. Since T. A did not comply with their demand, V. Ghukasyan published such damaging information multiple times on his YouTube channel from October 2022 to February 2023.

Additionally, in another criminal case, it was found that V. Ghukasyan, in September 2022, published false information regarding the operations of two nightclubs, using sexual insults on his YouTube channels. Furthermore, another individual, A. Mkrtumyan, visited one of those clubs in autumn 2022, presenting himself as a bronze medalist of the World Championship of Illusionists. After visiting, he provided V. Ghukasyan with videos containing information about the events and clients at the club. V. Ghukasyan published these on his YouTube channel, threatening to release more damaging information if the clients did not stop visiting the club.

About ten days later, a security staff member of the party called the club, demanding that the club's security services be provided for a monthly fee of 2-3 million AMD by employees of 'Public Security' security service, guaranteeing they could carry out any illegal activities during that period. After this demand was rejected, V. Ghukasyan intensified his smear campaign against the club and published pictures of the responsible staff member and their family members, aiming to force them into accepting their extortion demand under the guise of providing security services.

On March 31, 2023, A. Mkrtumyan again visited the club and confronted the responsible staff member, demanding a sum of 60,000 to 100,000 USD to be transferred to the fund indicated by V. Ghukasyan, adding that only in this case would V. Ghukasyan refrain from publishing statements about the club, its clients, and their family members.

Based on sufficient factual data obtained during the preliminary investigation, motions were submitted to the supervising prosecutor to initiate public criminal prosecution against V. Ghukasyan and A. Galstyan for extorting particularly large amounts in a group, which were approved. Following these decisions, A. Galstyan and A. Mkrtumyan were arrested.

During searches conducted in the offices of the 'Public Voice' party and 'Public Security' security service, A. Galstyan's residence, as well as the residences of individuals connected with him and V. Ghukasyan, various items, documents, notebooks containing records confirming the extortion, and electronic devices relevant to the investigation were found and seized.

Further information was also obtained during the investigation regarding other property demands presented by V. Ghukasyan and his accomplices under the guise of providing various services.

Currently, the Investigative Committee is examining a total of 46 incidents involving these individuals that allegedly include various offenses using information or communication technologies, hooliganism, extortion, incitement or promotion of hatred, discrimination, intolerance or animosity, violations of personal or family privacy, interference in the lawful official or political activities of officials, obstruction of justice, disrespect towards the judiciary, public calls for violence, and public justification of violence.

The Investigative Committee urges any citizens harmed by V. Ghukasyan, A. Galstyan, and their accomplices to contact the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia or the nearest territorial subdivision of the Police of the Republic of Armenia. This is reported by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.