Two Men Kidnap Sex Workers, Assault One and Subject Another to Sexual Violence, Steal Money

Within the framework of criminal proceedings being investigated by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, the Kotayk Regional Investigative Division and the Erebuni and Nubarashen Investigative Department have uncovered cases of robbery against sex workers and their abduction, revealing several circumstances of significant importance for the investigation.

As reported by the Investigative Committee, the identities of the individuals who committed the crime have been established; they are acquaintances aged 34 and 25, both residents of Kotayk region. It has been ascertained that on January 30, 2024, at approximately 00:20, in Yerevan on Bagratuniats Street, these two residents arranged with a woman engaged in sex work to provide sexual services in exchange for money at one of the hotels. However, after entering their vehicle, the individuals did not drive towards the hotel but instead to a field area near the village of Jrvezh.

During the ride, the 25-year-old moved to the back of the vehicle, after which the doors were locked, preventing the woman from exiting the car. Subsequently, the young man committed sexual acts against the woman, while the 34-year-old threatened her with an object resembling a firearm, forcing her to hand over her money amounting to 48,000 AMD. After leaving her in the field area, they fled the scene.

Hours later, at 05:30, based on a substantial suspicion of having committed a crime, the 34-year-old man was arrested and taken to the Kotayk Department of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia along with the vehicle he was operating, a 'Honda'. During the preliminary investigation, information emerged concerning similar crimes committed by the aforementioned individuals days prior, leading to the initiation of another criminal proceeding by the Erebuni and Nubarashen Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee.

According to the materials of the aforementioned proceedings, on January 19, 2024, at approximately 21:00, the individuals had arranged with another woman involved in sex work to provide her sexual services in exchange for money. They took her in an 'Opel' vehicle to the Jrashent neighborhood, where they assaulted her, threatened her, and stole her phone along with 47,000 AMD.

A decision has been made to combine the aforementioned criminal proceedings to ensure an objective and comprehensive investigation, with joint proceedings to be conducted by the Kotayk Regional Investigative Division of the Investigative Committee.

As a result of the necessary measures taken, on February 1, 2024, under substantial suspicion of having committed the crime, the 25-year-old was also arrested. During the investigation, necessary investigative actions were conducted. Site inspections were also carried out with the participation of the 34-year-old man, during which items of evidential significance were discovered and seized.

Based on the sufficient evidence obtained, charges have been filed against the 34-year-old man under Article 191, Part 2, Subpoint 5 of the RA Criminal Code, and Article 252, Part 1, while the 25-year-old faces charges under Article 191, Part 2, Subpoint 5, Article 191, Part 1, and Article 252, Part 1 (two episodes). A motion has been submitted to the court to apply preventive detention as a measure of restraint, which has been granted. The investigation is ongoing.

Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court judgement that has entered into legal force in accordance with the procedures established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code.