Criminal proceedings launched over Anna Hakobyan’s report of threats to her life, Investigative Committee says

Armenia’s Investigative Committee has launched criminal proceedings over alleged hooliganism committed through the use of information or communication technologies following a report by Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, regarding threats to her life.

“The criminal proceedings were initiated over an incident of hooliganism committed through the use of information or communication technologies. We also note that, in a separate criminal case involving public calls for violence against the individual, a detention order has been issued and the suspect has been placed on the wanted list,” Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan said.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee said Hakobyan’s report was under review. Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office had also initiated proceedings based on her public statement in which she said she felt her life was under threat.

In recent weeks, Hakobyan has published a series of social media posts condemning domestic violence. In one of her latest videos, she said that after speaking publicly about the issue, she had begun receiving threats to her life.

 “I hope the state authorities will be able to prevent something like this from happening, because it would seriously damage the country’s reputation if the Prime Minister’s wife became a victim of violence,” Hakobyan said, urging women not to be afraid to speak out about domestic violence.