Preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding initiated on kidnapping 84 year-old resident of Achajur village of Tavush region - the father of the NA former Deputy was completed.

In the result of large-scale investigative and procedural actions conducted in the Department of Investigation of Crimes against Humanity of General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee it was found out and grounded that S. Manukyan, A. Qamalyan, M. Muradyan, T. Poghosyan reached prior agreement with a group of people on kidnapping 84 year-old resident of Achajur village G. Qoqobelyan and demanding 3.000.000 USD by extortion from his relatives.

In order to carry out the criminal intention, on July 27, 2022 early in the morning the mentioned people drove to the house on the 1t street of Achajur village where they ambushed with masks and waited for 84 year-old resident of the mentioned house. At about 07:00 when the latter came out of the yard of his house, they got him into the mentioned car against his will by using physical force, closed his eyes and mouth and took him out of the village.

After a short while they took the old man to the car of “TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO 2.7” make, moved him to Tsater village of Lori region and kept him in the guesthouse rented from one of the residents of the same village. In the guesthouse T.Poghosyan and another member of the criminal group, masked, being in the mentioned house until August 2, 2022 in turn, controlled the old man.

Going on with their criminal intention, on July 29, 2022 at 09:30 the members of the criminal group sent a message to the old man’s son Kh. Qoqobelyan via “WhatsApp” demanding 3 million USD. Besides, they repeatedly presented ultimatums to the former deputy of the National Assembly threatening that the next would be the latter’s son.

After receiving 20.000 USD of the mentioned amount in crypto currency account sent by them in advance, on August 2, 2022 at about 11:00 S. Manukyan with A. Qamalyan drove from Yerevan in the car owned by their friend and at about 14:00 arrived in Tsater village. Before they arrived in the mentioned place, T. Poghosyan had covered the old man’s eyes with cotton fillings after which they took the latter to the mentioned car and left. On the same day at about 17:30 the man was taken out of the car by the members of the criminal group in a wooded area on Dilijan-Ijevan road, made him sit on the stone and left in the direction of Ijevan. Then they informed the latter’s relatives about his location.

On the base of the obtained sufficient evidence charge was pressed against the mentioned 4 men according to the Point 5 of the Part 2 of the Article 191 and the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code. Detention was used as a pretrial measure against S. Manukyan, home detention was used against A. Qamalyan. Absence ban was used as a pretrial measure against M. Muradyan, no pretrial measure was used against T. Poghosyan as the latter was in prison.

Preliminary investigation on the mentioned 4 persons was completed. The materials of the criminal proceeding, with the bill of indictment, were sent to the prosecutor for approval and referral to court.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.