Preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding initiated on abducting foreign nationals was completed in the Department for Investigation of Crimes on Human Trafficking, against Sexual Immunity of Juveniles and Illegal Turnover of Drugs of General Department for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee.

In the course of the preliminary investigation factual data were obtained on the allegation that persons presenting themselves as police officers entered the residence of a foreign citizen, took a powder-like substance from the table, and announced that they had discovered narcotic drugs.

As a result, persons presenting themselves as police officers, under the pretext of taking the foreign citizen and his friend to the police station, with the intent to later demand money, placed them in a vehicle and drove toward the Yerevan–Sevan highway, thereby deceitfully abducting them.

Subsequently, the persons having committed the crime threatened to disclose information harmful to the lawful interests of the foreign citizen and demanded money. Arriving in Yerevan, the foreign citizen, fearing for his and his friend’s life and safety, transferred crypto currency in particularly large amount, equivalent to 14 million 281 thousand 560 AMD.

Public criminal prosecution was initiated against two persons according to the Points 5 and 8 of the Part 2 of the Article 191, the Part 1 of the Article 207, and the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code.

Home detention, absence ban and bail were used as a pretrial measure against them. 

The criminal proceeding on two individuals with the bill of indictment, were sent to the prosecutor for approval and referral to court.