Indian Citizen Assaulted and Humiliated by Countrymen Who Demanded $500 from Relatives

The Investigative Committee reports that on June 26, 2024, at 20:15, a 43-year-old citizen of the Republic of India residing in Yerevan filed a complaint about being restrained, assaulted, threatened with murder, insulted, subjected to sexual harassment, and actions that humiliated his dignity, filmed naked, with the video sent to his relatives along with a demand for money, following which his cash was stolen and he was held against his will.

“In connection with the incident, a criminal case has been initiated under Articles 192, 194, 258, 252, and 196 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia in the investigative division of the Erebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts,” the committee stated. The necessary investigative actions revealed significant details of the incident, including the motives and the identities of those who allegedly committed the crimes, all of whom were compatriots of the victim.

According to the investigation, on June 25, 2024, from midnight to 05:00, the 43-year-old man, along with the two acquaintances, temporarily resided together at a hostel on Nar-Dosi Street in Yerevan, where during their drinking session, a dispute arose regarding religious issues.

During this dispute, motivated by intolerance and the illegal intent to take the money the 43-year-old had, his acquaintances began to strike him on various parts of his body with their hands and a broken piece of chair, removed his clothing, and upon discovering $500, stole it. They then bound his hands and feet with a lighter and a stick, inflicting bodily injuries, causing severe physical pain and mental anguish.

Not content with assaulting and humiliating him, with ulterior motives, they illegally detained him for an extended time, ignoring his pleas for release. They then called his relatives and, on the condition of his release, demanded $500.

Based on sufficient evidence, the two individuals have been charged under Articles 192, 196, 252, and 258 of the Criminal Code. They have been detained as a measure of restraint. The pre-trial investigation has concluded, and the case materials, with an indictment, have been sent to court,” the Investigative Committee stated in its press release.