Former Partner Stole Money: 'Thief by Law' Attempts to Resolve Issues

The investigation into a case involving the highest criminal hierarchy status, leadership and participation in a group has concluded at the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Investigative Committee of Armenia, concerning five defendants.

During the investigation, it was established that H.K. used his illegal influence and threats to resolve issues related to the return of private debts on behalf of individuals who approached him, leveraging his status as a person of 'criminal authority'. The investigation further revealed that various individuals, including P.S., had received directives to carry out actions aimed at achieving the objectives pursued by the criminal subculture group, in which they were involved.

Specifically, it was substantiated that on December 25, 2023, H.K. met with a woman who had approached him with her issue. She reported that her former partner had taken approximately 10,000,000 AMD from her own funds and various banks under the pretext of buying and leasing vehicles, as well as 39,000 USD from the sale of her apartment and a Mercedes vehicle, without returning them. H.K., utilizing his status, undertook actions to resolve this issue in the woman’s favor and informed her that her former partner did not have sufficient financial means to return the money.

Furthermore, on December 26, 2023, a person familiar with H.K. approached him about resolving a dispute involving his son and the friends of his son. H.K. welcomed both the son and his friend, discussing the terms of contacting another individual known by the nickname 'Massivtsi Jiro' to resolve their private dispute. During this time, H.K. expressed his willingness to negotiate with 'Massivtsi Jiro' illegally, using his criminal authority to resolve the dispute in favor of the two individuals who approached him.

In another instance, on January 23, 2024, H.K. met with the woman and her daughter. They sought his support in resolving a dispute regarding a 10,000 USD debt owed to the woman's friend from 2010. H.K. promised to use his criminal authority to resolve the matter and contacted the son of the aforementioned friend, proposing to settle for 4,000 USD instead of the owed 10,000 USD, which the woman and her daughter rejected.

Subsequently, on January 17, 2024, H.K. discussed with P.S., A.M., R.N., and L.N. the actions relating to a conflict that occurred on November 16, 2023, in the Jrvazh Mayak neighborhood of Yerevan, clarifying the need to act according to the rules set by the group. Days later, he met with the participants in that conflict to emphasize the necessity of adherence to the group’s established rules and to mediate their disagreements, thus realizing the objectives pursued by the group.

On February 2, 2024, H.K. and P.S. discussed another conflict and the circumstances surrounding it, resolving the resulting disagreements among the participants. On February 18, 2024, H.K. and P.S. addressed the circumstances of assaulting several individuals in the Nor Nork administrative district of Yerevan in order to maintain their position and collect funds.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained during the investigation, charges were brought against H.K. under Article 322, Part 1, and Article 324, Part 3, Clause 5 of the RA Criminal Code, with combined preventive measures applied, including house arrest, bail of 5,000,000 AMD, and a travel ban. P.S. faced charges under Article 324, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, with similarly applied preventive measures including administrative supervision and a bail of 15,000,000 AMD. Three individuals who approached them were charged under Article 325, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, with two subjected to a travel ban and one under administrative supervision with a travel ban.

The preliminary investigation concerning all five defendants has concluded and the materials of the case, along with the indictment, have been sent to court. The investigation continues for other unidentified members of the criminal subculture group involved.