The Department for Investigation of Crimes Against Property of Armenia’s Investigative Committee has completed the preliminary investigation into criminal proceedings concerning an alleged attempt to compel a participant in a criminal trial to withhold testimony or give false testimony through threats of violence. The alleged incident occurred in connection with a criminal case being heard by the Yerevan Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction.
According to the preliminary investigation, evidence was obtained suggesting that A.H., a resident of Masis, attended a court hearing on March 6, 2026, in a criminal case involving the brother of his close associate D.H. — former Masis Mayor Davit Hambardzumyan, according to the editor’s clarification — and several other individuals.
During the hearing, A.H. allegedly learned that H.Kh., a defendant in the same case, had given confessional testimony during the preliminary investigation concerning G.H., another close associate of A.H.
Investigators allege that on March 7, A.H. called H.Kh. and, through credible threats of violence and harm to his life and health, demanded and attempted to force him to retract his statements made during the preliminary investigation and give testimony in court that would lead to G.H.’s release from detention.
Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against A.H. under Article 495, Part 1, of Armenia’s Criminal Code, concerning obstruction of trial participants in the exercise of their procedural powers.
The criminal proceedings, together with the indictment, have been forwarded to the supervising prosecutor.
