As it was already informed by the RA Investigative Committee, through preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding initiated in the Division of Investigation of Grave Crimes of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee according to the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 44-296, the Point 3 of the Part 3 of the Article 258 of RA Criminal Code a number of significant circumstances of extortion in particularly large amount committed by a group were found out.

On the base of the obtained facts public criminal prosecution was initiated against Vardan Ghukasyan and Artak Galstyan, who are the leaders of the party “Public Voice”, for committing extortion in particularly large amount by a group.

Besides A. Galstyan, during preliminary investigation two more persons – A. Mkrtumyan and E. Hovsepyan were arrested. Public criminal prosecution was initiated against them as well for committing extortion in particularly large amount from the person in charge of the night club and charge was pressed against the mentioned three persons.

The investigative body submitted motions to the court to use detention as a pretrial measure against them for two months. The motions were sufficed and these persons were taken to penitentiary.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing.

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