HETQ Online, an Armenian investigative journalism group and a partner in the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, exposed Der-Boghossian’s alleged actions in a story earlier this year.
Der-Boghossian is the President and owner of Metal Prince LTD Corporation, a successful mining company, and the Director General of the Akhtala Ore Mining and Processing Enterprise in Akhtala. Der-Boghossian was also recently an advisor to Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian.
The International Agency for Crimes Against Children (IACAC) quotes Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian saying “I find no words to express my feelings. I can only promise to ensure that the investigation prompted by that report will be speedy, comprehensive and transparent.” The trial has however been closed to the media and the public.
HETQ believes a minimum of 20 underage boys, some as young as 12, are the victims of Der-Boghossian’s sexual abuse over the past 10 years.
However, the actual number of victims may be significantly higher because of fear of coming forward, or corruption in the region. HETQ suggests there may have been cover-ups of Der-Boghossian’s activities in Akhtala in exchange for money or favors by local officials and possibly even police officers.
The HETQ investigation found police corruption, or possibly negligence in this case. District Deputy Police Chief Artur Harutyunyan was asked by HETQ reporters why Der-Boghossian activities were not discovered earlier. Harutyunyan replied that the police had some information regarding his actions but lacked the necessary proof to act on it
According to HETQ, Der-Boghossian had a personal and financial relationship with Police Chief Alik Sargsyan. When an HETQ reporter questioned Sargsyan on whether Der-Boghossian had given $15,000 to renovate the police headquarters, his response was that Der-Boghossian was a “patriot and a benefactor.” Furthermore, HETQ found that after Der-Boghossian was indicted, Sargsyan denied any relationship despite dedicating a book to Der-Boghossian which includes a personal testimonial.
Der-Boghossian is alleged to have used his influence in the town as a philanthropist, and his financial power to gain the favor of boys with whom he would engage in relationships.
The investigation further discovered that years ago, a school principal in a nearby town reported to police that Der-Boghossian was giving large amounts of money to young male students. Police claimed at the time that they could find nothing sinister in the gifts.
According to the indictment, police found video evidence that Der-Boghossian sexually exploiting underage boys on his computer -- videos which he filmed himself. HETQ quoted prosecutor Amirzadyan saying "the man filmed it all for his personal pleasure or perhaps as a blackmail tool to keep the boys under his control.”
Der-Boghossian is also suspected of travelling to other countries including Georgia and Germany in order to engage in the sexual exploitation of minors and “sex tourism.”
The IACAC is working with US and local authorities to assess whether Der-Boghossian can be indicted by the US under the Protect Act of 2003. The Protect Act prohibits U.S citizens from having sex with minors in the states and while travelling abroad if the intent of the travel is to have sex with minors. If charged under the Protect Act, Der-Boghossian could face life in prison.
In an IACAC press release last week, IACAC’s Chief Operations Officer stated that “IACAC applauds the actions of the investigative journalists at HETQ, and the Armenian authorities, for pursuing the facts behind this case and seeking justice for the violation these children have suffered.”
Last week HETQ Online reported that the next trial date is scheduled for August 30th.
