Investigation ends in child trafficking case

PanARMENIAN.Net - The pre-trial investigation into a criminal case involving the alleged trafficking of a minor has been completed.

According to Armenia's Investigative Committee, preliminary evidence indicates that H.M., acting in prior agreement with H.S., the husband of H.M.'s sister, allegedly trafficked the minor A.P. for forced labor between August 8 and September 4, 2025.

Investigators allege that the suspects exploited the fact that A.P. and his father, Y.P., owed them approximately 40,000-60,000 Armenian drams, as well as the minor's apparent mental illness, to subject the child to forced labor. According to the investigation, this allegedly resulted, through negligence, in serious consequences, causing the minor severe psychological and emotional suffering.

The alleged suspects have been identified, and decisions have been made to initiate public criminal prosecution against them under Article 189, Part 3, Clause 2 of Armenia's Criminal Code, which concerns the trafficking or exploitation of a child or a person in a helpless condition.

One of the suspects has been placed under house arrest, while the other has been subjected to a travel restriction prohibiting unauthorized absence.

The criminal case, together with the indictment, has been forwarded to the supervising prosecutor.

Notice: A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court judgment that has entered into legal force in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code.