People Were Coerced to Attend the Rally in Support of Karapetian, Says Investigative Committee

The Investigative Committee of Armenia's Yerevan Office has revealed that during a large-scale investigation and operational activities conducted in connection with a criminal case, evidence has been obtained regarding the coercion of residents from various parts of Armenia to participate in a rally organized in support of S.K., who is currently in custody under another case being handled by the Committee.

On July 8, simultaneous searches were conducted at around two dozen addresses based on court decisions, leading to the discovery and seizure of various items significant to the investigation, including lists of names associated with payments and cash.

Based on the obtained facts, a decision has been made to initiate public criminal prosecution against three individuals under Article 236, part 2 of the Criminal Code (obstructing or coercing participation in a gathering, as well as materially incentivizing participation or refusal to participate in the gathering) and Article 46-236, part 2 (aiding the obstruction or coercion of participation in a gathering, as well as materially incentivizing participation or refusal to participate).

Urgent investigative and other procedural actions are being undertaken within the framework of this criminal case. It is reported that necessary measures will be taken, using the permissible tools of criminal procedural law, to address the actions of all participants involved in coercing and materially incentivizing individuals to attend the aforementioned rally, providing legal assessment and applying equivalent procedural measures against them.