Threatened to 'Kill': Reached Out to a Criminal Underworld Figure

The investigation into the criminal activities related to a criminal underworld group’s involvement in a property dispute in Yerevan has been completed.

According to the findings from extensive investigative and procedural actions conducted by the Avan and Nor Nork Investigative Division of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, a 47-year-old resident of Yerevan illegally constructed a building on a part of a piece of land owned by a company on Gurgyan Street. The construction was contested by the company’s 43-year-old director and his brother.

The director proposed resolving the issue regarding the property through legal means; however, the 47-year-old man, refusing this option, turned to a participant of a criminal underworld group to exert illegal influence for the realization of his supposed rights. This individual, leveraging his status in the criminal hierarchy, expressed willingness to resolve the matter.

During the months of January to March 2024, the criminal underworld figure, along with the 47-year-old man and a group of others, went to the aforementioned property where they met with the company director and his brother. In a pre-arranged agreement, these individuals, aware of and complementing each other’s actions, demanded that the brothers transfer the property into the name of the 47-year-old man under the threat of violence, specifically stating that they would 'kill' them if they did not hand over the rights to the property.

Based on sufficient evidence gathered, criminal charges have been brought against the individual linked to the criminal underworld under Article 324, Part 1, and Article 258, Part 2, Sub-point 8 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Charges have also been filed against the 47-year-old man under Article 325, Part 1, and Article 258, Part 2, Sub-point 8, along with additional charges against another person under Article 258, Part 2, Sub-point 8. The investigation against these three defendants has been concluded.

The materials of the criminal case, along with the accusatory conclusion, have been sent to the supervising prosecutor for approval and subsequent submission to the court.

Note: A suspect charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law by a legally binding court verdict.