Criminal Proceedings for the Kidnapping of Former Yerevan Council Member Halted; New Case Initiated

The criminal proceedings initiated regarding the kidnapping of Narine Hayrapetyan, a former member of the Yerevan Council under the "Mother Armenia" alliance, have been halted, and a new criminal case has been opened on charges of false reporting. This was reported by the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

Narine Hayrapetyan filed a report on January 17, stating that on January 15, around 09:30, she was kidnapped by a group of individuals in front of the address 6/7 Totovents Street. She indicated that she was forcibly made to enter an unknown vehicle, her eyes were covered with a cloth, and she was taken to an unknown location. Subsequently, she met a man aged about 60-65 with whom she had a conversation related to her political activities. After that, the same individuals took her to Abovyan Street, let her out of the vehicle, and left.

The Investigative Committee reported that a proper, comprehensive, and impartial pre-investigation had been conducted within the framework of the criminal proceedings initiated under Article 191, Part 2, Point 5 of the RA Criminal Code (kidnapping by a group of persons). "Extensive investigative and procedural actions have been carried out, including interrogations, examination of video recordings, and questioning numerous witnesses, including employees of facilities near the address indicated by Narine Hayrapetyan as the site of the abduction. Aside from the report submitted by the victim Narine Hayrapetyan, no evidence or factual data has been obtained that would substantiate the circumstances of her kidnapping," the statement reads.

During the investigation, it was established that Narine Hayrapetyan left Armenia for the Russian Federation on January 19, 2024, at 17:26, and did not return.

The investigation established that no kidnapping incident had taken place, and it was decided to halt the criminal proceedings. Considering that other alleged criminal actions have emerged, characterized as false reporting under Article 476, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, a new criminal case has been initiated, and an investigation is underway.