Investigative Committee Spokesperson Addresses Seizure of $27,000 from Trans Individual

The spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Armenia, Gor Abrahamyan, has responded to media reports alleging that money was seized from a transgender individual. In a statement on his Facebook page, he remarked, "I saw publications on the internet titled 'The Trans Individual is Disappointed: $27,000 Earned from Sex Work Seized,' which imply that the actions of investigators, including the seizure of $27,000, are due to the individual's status as a representative of a sexual minority, suggesting that there is a gender-based discriminatory approach at play."

Abrahamyan emphasized that these claims have no real basis. He clarified, "Regarding the specific amount of money, the circumstances related to this individual are part of an ongoing extensive criminal investigation. Since significant actions are still being taken in this ongoing case, I cannot disclose many details in order to not obstruct the normal course of the investigation. However, I can say the following: the seizure of this specified amount (and not just this amount but also a mobile phone) was conducted as part of the investigation into illegal drug trafficking via 'Telegram' channels under the scope of the aforementioned case by the General Department of Combating Organized Crime of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia. It is tied to both the individual's possible involvement in the illegal trafficking of drugs and the need to verify the origins of these specified sums in this context, given that there are indications of that individual's potential connection to illegal drug trafficking and money laundering within the case."

He noted that the seizure has nothing to do with the individual's orientation or association with any community. This is also supported by the fact that simultaneous searches were carried out at 90 addresses in the course of this vast drug trafficking investigation, including at the specified residence, and many individuals, some of whom have the status of defendants, are involved in this case, several of whom are detained.

The active investigation regarding all aspects of this case is currently ongoing, with extensive investigative, procedural, and operational-search actions taking place. Based on the results of these actions, objective legal evaluations will be provided for all involved individuals, including the actions of the person mentioned in the publication. Therefore, I urge everyone to refrain from any type of speculation and attempts to present the professional work conducted by the investigators of the Investigative Committee in an unacceptable light.

The fight against illegal drug trafficking is a universal issue, and law enforcement agencies are obligated to respond legally to any signals and reports about illegal drug trafficking, regardless of who visits specific venues and their connections to them, whether it be clubs, public or private establishments," concluded the spokesperson of the Investigative Committee.