One year passed. Yet, Karen did not forget Marine. He started to survey her and was aware of her every move.

In March 2008, they met again in the bus. The young man made another attempt, explaining himself with serious intentions. He said he wanted to get married. His explanation was so sincere and confident that Marine surrendered. They exchanged phone numbers and from that day forward their life started to change. Gradually close relations were formed. …   

On the 2^{nd o}f April, 2008, Karen and Marine met not far from the Grikor Lusavorich Church. Karen officially proposed to the girl and tried to forbid her from returning home. She refused, but promised to meet him next day. As a bail of her promise, Karen took a golden ring off her finger and said that he would return it when they met.

 Karen had already decided that he would abduct the girl at their next meeting and started preparations. That same day, around 16:00 o’clock, he met a taxi driver and asked to take his girlfriend and himself to Trakhkadzor the next day. The driver agreed and left his cell phone number.

On the 3^rd of April in the morning, Karen met with Marine. During their conversation, the girl demanded her ring back, but Karen lied, saying that he left the ring behind at work and that if she wanted, they can go there and take the ring. In the neighborhood of “Tashir” Supermarket, they went off the bus and he asked the girl to wait for him. In the meantime, he called the taxi driver and asked him to come by. Then he told Marine that he wanted to walk her to the University and  to return to her the ring there. Marine agreed. Thus, they walked towards the bus station, but before they approached it, Karen opened the door of “VAZ-2106” taxi car, twisted Marine’s arms and pushed her into the car. During the ride, Marine tried to call her parents, but Karen grabbed her cell phone and destroyed her chip.

On the same day, Karen called his mother and told her about everything, and he also gave her the phone number of Marine’s father and instructed her to call him and inform him about the occurrence.

Yet, when he called his mother from Tsakhkadzor next day, he was surprised. Marine’s parents had reported the incident to the police. Learning about this, the couple returned to Yerevan and went directly to Karen’s aunt’s place. From there Marine called a friend, who came after her and took her home, while Karen Mikayelyan was “hosted” by the Police.

The investigator of the case, Buniat Eghiazaryan, reported that both in Tsakhkadzor and at his aunt’s place, the young man forced Marine to write letters, stating that she loved him and went with him by her own will.

Аn accusation against Karen Mikayelyan was brought under part 1 of article 1313 of RA Criminal Code – “Illegal deprivation of freedom.” Criminal proceedings have been commenced, the investigation is over and the case, with a criminal conclusion, is in the court.

Anna Aslanyan

“02” Police weekly, 20.06.2008, 24 (873). Unofficial translation from Armenian.

On February 1 2008, the Erebuni police department received information from citizens that a dead body was found on the road leading to the Mushakan settlement of summerhouses.

The operative group that went to the crime scene found a body of a 30-40 year-old woman, which had been gnawed by animals. Examination of the body revealed cuts and stabs around the thorax. Obviously, it was a murder. The first task of the police was to identify the victim, which was followed by clarification of motives and cause-and-effect relation.  

On the 5^th of February, after investigation, it became clear that the murdered woman was Kristine Manukyan, a resident of Sebastia Street, born in 1983.

On the 7^th of February the first positive results of the murder investigation came up. Due to operative investigative measures which had been taken, components of the crime were clarified and a suspect was identified:  Armen Hayrapetyan, a resident of Nor Nork 5^th district Mikoyan str., was delivered to the police station.  The confession of the 26-year-old young man did not take long: under the pressure of evident proofs and cross-questioning he gave the details of the unfortunate day: the cold winter day, the desire to make the day more interesting drove his friend and him to one of the capital’s bawdy places and…

It happened in the end of January. Armen Hayrapetyan and his friend, resident of Khorenatsi str. Andranik Gasparyan (born in 1982), had a clear intention to make the day interesting, but had no money. All they had was a strong desire: their young blood was boiling.

One of the girls dancing in the club attracted Armen’s attention at once. Rather, her free movements were attracting and he invited her to their table. They found common language quite fast; the girl agreed to keep them company and to have a good time together.

The essence of “good time” was clear, and the girl asked for 30 000 drams for her service. “We did not have that money”- Armen says. There was no money, but there was a strong desire. They took a taxi and proceeded towards the Mushakan settlement of summerhouses. Armen and Kristine then left the car in order to “continue” and walked towards the nearest hill.  

At what moment the evil idea to kill the girl came to his mind – Armen is not even trying to explain: the girl was simply an obstacle in their way and she wouldn’t give in. As they approached the hill he grabbed the girl’s cell phone and a golden chain, then stabbed her several times with a knife which he always carried.      

“I stabbed her seven, eight, ten times, then I threw the knife away and returned to the car.” – said Armen. When his friend and the driver asked where was the girl, he said that they had had an argument and she left. “The sun was rising, so we also left the place by car.” – Armen finished, implying that they didn’t leave the girl alone at the night in a deserted place and thus their departure was justified.   

This is a terrifying story of one cold January night, an ugly scenario in which everything is for sale – body, consciousness, humaneness and soul. 

Armen Hayrapetyan has been detained. Measures are being taken to locate Andranik Gasparyan.  

Hasmik Padosyan

“02” weekly, www.police.am. Unofficial translation from Armenian  

10 (859) 14-03-2008

Kidnapped and Raped

The Prosecutor’s Office of Erebouni and Noubarashen of the town of Yerevan  communities has finished the preliminary investigation of the case instituted on the kidnapping of underage L. M. with the use of physical violence.

The investigation revealed and proved that on March 21, approximately at 16:30 p.m., S. Soghomonyan, resident of Norashen village of Ararat marz (province) kidnapped underage L. M., born on December 25, 1988. It happened on the opposite side of the building of Shengavit District First Instance Court, now under construction in the Komitas boulevard on Arshakounyats Avenue of the city of Yerevan. L. M. was returning home from "Petak" fair. Using physical force, S. Soghomonyan pushed her into the "VAZ 21013" vehicle, bearing the license number 25 LT 755 and transported her to the Pokr Vedi village of Ararat marz. S. Soghomonyan was authorized to use the vehicle by a power of attorney. Later, learning that L.M.’s relatives were going to get her back home, he raped her the same day around 22:30 p.m. in a deserted field near the village, on the back seat of his car, under the threat of a firearm, which he had illegally obtained beforehand and kept in the glove box of his car saloon. 

Based upon available evidence, S. Soghomonyan was charged under Clauses 1 and 4 Section 2 of Article 131, Clause 3, Section 2 of Article 138 and Section 1 of Article 235 of the RA Criminal Code.

The criminal case was sent to the First Instance Court of Erebouni and Noubarashen Communities in a manner prescribed by Article 48 of the RA Criminal Procedure Code for further examination.

Sexually Insatiable Norik

Closed hearings of the case of Norik Roubinyan, the director of “Uyut” café, are taking place at the First Instance court of Avan and Nor Nork communities. The boss is charged with the sexual exploitation of the café personnel.

Details of the case will not be made public, which is quite reasonable, because it involves the issue of the honor and dignity of several women. The director of the “cozy” café (the English translation for “Uyut” is “coziness,” - Translator’s note), where the women worked, had a “weakness” for women. It was not just “weakness” – his sexual desires were maniacal. According to quite reliable rumors, he sexually harassed each of his subordinate women. Those who would not agree voluntarily were just raped in the boss’s room. Waitresses, dishwashers and charladies became Roubinyan’s victims. Moreover, an underage G.K. also takes part in the trial as a victim.

Margarita Haroutiunyan

CA Rape Attempt

According to the information of “Aravot” newspaper, an attempt was made to rape two girls of school 131 in Ajapnyak community. According to our source, the attempt was made by a high-school student of school N 94 of the same district. Yesterday “Aravot” tried to get in touch with the mother of the victims, however, the latter refused to make any comments, saying that she would apply to the editorial office of “02” newspaper (RA police weekly - Translator’s note), if necessary. The incident occurred on September 21.

Kidnapped and Raped

The Prosecutor’s Office of Erebouni and Noubarashen of the town of Yerevan  communities has finished the preliminary investigation of the case instituted on kidnapping of underage L. M. with the use of physical violence.

The investigation revealed and proved that on March 21, at approximately at 16:30 p.m., S. Soghomonyan, resident of Norashen village of Ararat marz (province) kidnapped underage L. M., born in 1988. It happened on the opposite side of the building of Shengavit District First Instance Court, now under construction in the Komitas boulevard on Arshakounyats Avenue of the city of Yerevan. L. M. was returning home from “Petak” fair. Using physical force, S. Soghomonyan pushed her into the "VAZ 21013" vehicle, bearing the license number 25 LT 755 and transported her to the Pokr Vedi village of Ararat marz. S. Soghomonyan was authorized to use the vehicle by a power of attorney. Later, learning that L.M.’s relatives were going to get her back home, he raped her the same day around 22:30 p.m. in a deserted field near the village, on the back seat of his car, under the threat of a firearm, which he had illegally obtained beforehand and kept in the glove box of his car saloon. 

Based upon available evidence, S. Soghomonyan was charged under Clauses 1 and 4 Section 2 of Article 131, Clause 3, Section 2 of Article 138 and Section 1 of Article 235 of the RA Criminal Code.

The criminal case was sent to the First Instance Court of Erebouni and Noubarashen Communities in a manner prescribed by Article 48 of the RA Criminal Procedure Code for further examination.

The 8th Grade School Student Becomes a Mother,and the Schoolgirl’s Child Has 5 Potential Fathers

“We are inviting you to a school where an atmosphere of stone-cold indifference reigns to such extent that a pregnant 8th grade schoolgirl may attend school from September till December and no one would show any interest. Nobody would know how high grade boys spend their free time – with sexual unruliness,” - this emergency call received from the special boarding school for children with malfunctioned fulcrum-motor system under the Ministry of Education was really shocking.

“I don’t deny that there has been such a case,” - yesterday confirmed the principal of the school Amalya Haroutyunyan. According to her, 2 children, a brother and sister, with disabilities, were brought to the school 1.5 years ago. After medical and pedagogical examinations the sister joined the 7th grade special group and  the brother - the 5th grade.

Just for information, they reside in one of the villages of Armavir marz (province). According to Amalya Haroutyunyan, after studying for a year the girl passed to the 8th grade. And when she began attending school in September, from the very first week, all the teachers tutoring the girl informed the principal that she was dispirited and depressed. “We became a little worried and kept her mother aware that we suspected such a thing (that she was pregnant – L.B.),” - Mrs. Haroutyunyan was telling us yesterday. According to her, the mother insisted that there was nothing to worry about and said that the reason for her daughter’s bad mood was that there had been a burglary in the village and some people accused the girl of the crime. “Although we had come to a secret agreement with the doctor to take the girl for sonography under the pretext that we were suspecting jaundice, the mother denied it in such a manner that we didn't take her to the doctor,” says the principal. However, Mrs. Haroutyunyan insists that the girl’s pregnancy has no relationship with the school, because the probable time of the pregnancy did not coincide with the school period. Anyway, the girl attended school in that condition, and a week ago she gave birth to a child. She had a girl weighing 3 kilograms and 800 grams. Amalya Haroutyunyan says that there is also an assumption that there was a rape in the village and a criminal case was instituted by the Prosecutor’s office of Armavir marz. “The girl’s mother wanted the child to be born very much, so that it would be possible to find out through a blood test who had committed that inhuman act. According to her, there were five potential fathers in the village. And although, as we know, Mrs. Haroutyunyan was also interrogated by the prosecutor’s office, she insists that there are no assumptions related to the school. “After the school graduation party the girl was accompanied home by her mother. The event occurred before June 15,” persists the principal. Besides, according to her, at school the children are kept under a 24 hour control. “We have a schedule at school. There are night-time nurses. There is also a medical nurse. Boys and girls sleep in separate bedrooms. No child has been left out of control so far. The high-grade students couldn’t have done it,” - thinks Amalya Haroutyunyan. At the same time Mrs. Haroutyunyan admits that such unfortunate events may happen in all educational institutions.

It is noteworthy that Mrs. Haroutyunyan claims that no one at school ever noticed that the girl was pregnant, “because no physiological changes occurred.”

“When at the end the mother confirmed in our presence that her daughter was pregnant, and we went to the village, we couldn’t believe up to the end that the her child would soon be born. We were all surprised,” - says the principal. In December she even sang with the school choir at the Pushkin school and at the New Year party she sang and danced around the Christmas tree, got presents and was accompanied home by her mother. She has not attended school during the second semester. It is unknown yet whether the girl will continue going to school or not.

According to Amalya Haroutyunyan, as a matter of fact, nobody knows who the biological parents are of the above-mentioned two schoolchildren. They were adopted from one of the orphanages of Yerevan by N. D, resident of Armavir marz. First they were brought from Spitak. Then they were moved to Guymri, and only afterwards to Yerevan. By the way, the girl has a disabled hand.
Anyway, according to the principal, the law enforcement agencies are now trying to find out who “the authors of this brutal act” are. In accordance with Articles 112 (prime), 114 and 115, the father of the one week old child is subject to a 3-10 year imprisonment or a 2-5 year exile, if, of course, he is adult.

Lusine Barseghyan

From the editor. There is an insignificant, theoretical possibility that the sexual act might have occurred at the boarding school. However, they deny such a probability, as noted above.

Contributed by Eduard Grigoryan, Women's Rights Center

My mother died, when I was in my 6th grade. My grandmother cared for us - five underage children and our father. My father was a very rude man. Some time later he got married again and had two more daughters. We hardly managed to make both ends meet; so I joined the Armavir tin factory as a worker immediately after graduating from school. I worked in a shift. The chief of the shift used to hint: “I’ll take care of you, if you show your care of me.” First I did not understand what he meant.

One day I was told he wanted to see me. He said he had appointed me to a new shift and I could attend courses in the daytime. I was so happy to have a permanent job, but my happiness did not last long. A week later, during a night shift, he called me again. He asked me how I was going to return the favor. I went numb. He stood up, closed the door and grabbed me, taking me up from the chair. I seemed not to feel anything, I just felt a sharp hit on my face and fell down onto an armchair. He attacked me like a beast and, having finished, left.
Now I am engaged in prostitution. I use ugly slang, not caring what the others think about me. But nobody knows that an incurable feeling of insult still lives in my soul, not leaving me alone.

Contributed by Eduard Grigoryan Women's Rights Center

Her husband was a very rude person; there were constantly quarrels between the members of his family – his father, mother, brothers and sister.

His mother and father would not let her bring up the children. They used to shout, curse and threaten to throw a chair at her in the presence of the children.  Some time later the husband decided to find a job abroad and a year later he called his wife to join him. Then the wife found out that her husband and the woman, owner of the house, where they stayed, were lovers.

He was very rude with his wife; he humiliated her in the bed, made her satisfy his various sexual desires. Whenever she tried to object he used to beat her, throw onto the ground and say that she must sleep on the ground like a dog. He said that he would treat his wife as he would wish.

Being unable to stand all that the wife left for her parents’ several times, but every time he came, persuaded her and took her back home.

Finally they divorced, but the husband succeeded in arranging so that the court decided to grant the guardianship of children to him. Now he prohibits the children even to communicate with their mother.

Contributed by Eduard Grigoryan, Women's Rights Center

Our neighbor, a young man, had been endlessly harassing me, confessing love. To avoid his harassment, I left my job under my parents’ strong advice. My father tried to talk to him and his parents; for some time he left me alone, but as soon as I had an admirer, he appeared again, threatening that I would belong to him.

Once, on my way home, a car crossed my way, he got out of it and forced me get into the car with the help of his friends. I tried to persuade him to take me back home, but in vain. They took me to one of his friend’s cottage; I tried to escape, but that attempt failed. It made him even more nervous, and he raped me.

When my parents knew about it they asked him to bring me back home. Several days later he took me back home and asked for my hand, but my parent rejected and applied to Prosecutor’s Office.

This incident ruined my life; I don’t know how I have to live on…

Contributed by Eduard Grigoryan, Women's Rights Center

I was 15 when I lost my parents. I lived with my uncle. I was very depressed at his home, serving like a slave to them. I met my husband there.

Once, when I was alone at home, he came to ours’. I showed him hospitality and we talked a little; then I did not even understand how he raped me and threatened to slaughter, if I would tell anybody about it. Obsessed by the shame, I did not know what to do. I thought everyone knew about it.

A month later I knew I was pregnant. When he knew about it, he promised to marry me, but some time later he told me to have an abortion. I was confused and did not know what to do.      

Forcedly, I told everything to my uncle; he got very angry, but what could I do? My uncle talked to his parents and we got married. I wish we would not have done it…

At first we lived peacefully, but in three years everything changed – the peace in our family was gone. My husband’s elder brother, who had been living in Russia, came back to motherland; my husband and his father were so happy with that.

One day after making my children sleep, I entered the room and could not believe my eyes: my brother-in-law was sitting in the armchair absolutely naked. He got up, came up to me, looked and hit me on my face so strong that I fell down on the sofa… He raped me. I was so ashamed that I could not look into my husband’s eyes in the evening.

It has been for already a half year that I have become my brother-in-law’s obedient servant, and I have to satisfy him sexually every time he wishes. I have lost my “ego,” stopped loving and respecting myself. I don’t know how I’ll look in my child’s eyes, when he grows.

Contributed by Eduard Grigoryan, Women's Rights Center

I met my future husband when we went out of the town for a picnic. I did not like him at all and I kept avoiding meeting him. He had been following me for almost 6 months.

One day he told me that we were going to one girl’s summer cottage to a party. When a little later I found out that he cheated me and took me to his own cottage, I begged him, asking to take me back home, but in vain. He raped me and seeing that I was a virgin, he took me to my parents and asked for my hand.

I married the unloved man out of shame, and I see a beast in him every moment…

Contributed by Eduard Grigoryan, Women's Rights Center

I lived in the Ararat marz (region). One day a woman came to our village and talked to my mother. After she left my mother claimed that I was going to get married in a week. 

The wedding day the matchmakers came to ours and I saw my future husband for the first time. After the wedding I found out that he was a recidivist and has been imprisoned two times.

Every day he used to invite his friends and make me to lay a table for them. He used to drink every day. My sister’s-in-law husband was also a friend of him.
Once, when my mother-in-law was at work and I was alone with my children, my sister’s-in-law husband came and made me satisfy him sexually. After that he used to come every time I was alone at home and threaten me that he would tell everything to my husband if I did not obey him.

Then my father-in-law was set free from the prison. He used to drink with his son every day. One day he offered me to have sex with him, without feeling ashamed. When I refused he raped me and from that day on he forced me to satisfy him sexually constantly.

I’ve lived so for 15 years; my husband and father-in-law died, but neither their death, nor the time can cure my pain.

When she had been left by her boy-friend, the latter’s close friend, using her hopeless situation, offered to marry her. She took the offer to marry a man who had been convicted for premeditated murder.

From the very first day of their marriage her husband did not let her leave the house, every nuisance turned into a quarrel that ended up with fierce beating. The husband neither worked himself, nor allowed her to work. One day her husband came home with some friends, bringing a lot of food and drinks. Having drank enough, he made her satisfy the sexual desires of his friends. Soon it became a lifestyle...

G. got married at the age of 32; she was the second wife of her husband. She suffered psychological, physical and sexual violence since the very first day of her marriage. Her husband used drugs and alcohol almost every day. He used to collect and bring his prison friends, forcing her to lay a table for them. It was enough. Drunk, he made her have sex with him before the eyes of their children.
Several time his friends attempted to rape her daughter when he was out; fortunately the girl was able to escape.

Now he is convicted for inflicting heavy bodily injuries to his underage son - he broke his legs.

The woman is waiting with horror that he will come back and the hell will resume.

Illegally deprived of freedom

On 29 April 2006, N.A.A. (born in 06.01.1936, address: 31a N.Nork block #6, apt. #10, Yerevan) reported the Arabkir police department that on 26 April some Roudik, nicknamed Tsezre, deceitfully took her to apartment 66 by Vratsakan Street 7, where she was illegally kept for three days, deprived of freedom. Roudik committed sexual actions with that woman against her will, then he stole from an unconscious woman a golden chain (10 grams), $100 and eight golden tooth coronas.
On 29 April 2006 a criminal case has been instituted on the fact on the basis of point 2 of the second part of Article 133, point 2 of the second part of Article 139 and the first part of Article 177 of RA Criminal Code.
As a result of the investigation it was found out that in the evening of 26 April 2006, Roudik met N.A.A. at a bakery of the Arabkir market, where she worked, offered her to cook something and eat at his house. They left together for his apartment 66 by Vratsakan 7 Street, where he locked the door with several locks. N.A. cooked the supper, which they ate together. During the supper Roudik drank several glasses of vodka and offered N.A. intimate relations. He made her have sex with him against her will, then beat her until N.Avagyan lost her consciousness.
That day and several days to follow Roudik tried to have sex with N.A. Being unable, he furiously beat her and again performed actions of sexual character.
In the morning of 29 April 2006, Roudik set N.A. free, threatening her not to tell anyone about all that. Some people took N.A. to the Mikaelyan Surgery Institute, where she found out that a golden chain (10 grams), $100 and eight golden tooth coronas had been stolen.

Prosecutor’s Office of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeitoun communities

According to “Aravot” newspaper’s information, A.Amiryan suffers from epilepsy.

M.B. has been arrested.

A.E. has been detained.

D.P. has been detained.

Policemen of Toumanyan have started an investigation of a rape statement and the fact of the subsequent suicide attempt.

M.H. applied to the local police and claimed that she had been raped by some V. in the snack bar, where she worked as a waitress.

V. was detected and detained. At the police department he cut his left forearm with a piece of glass.

V. has gotten medical aid.

In Tashir an investigation has been initiated in connection with the claim of a woman, resident of the village of Artsn. She claims that a 26-year old resident of the same village, former convict M.S. has raped her 11-year-old daughter.

M.S. is already in custody.

A day later the criminal, recidivist S.Simonyn, was detected and arrested.