Trial of the proprietor of Armenia’s Akhtala Mine Enrichment Plant, Metal Prince Company, and American-Armenian businessman Serop Der-Boghossian, who is charged with child molestation, continued on Wednesday at Lori Region’s Court of First Instance. Just like in the previous session, Der-Boghossian was questioned by prosecutor Aram Amirzadyan.

“He finds himself guilty…regrets it, but only now. Did he acknowledge and regret it at the time? That is very important for us to clarify,” Amirzadyan told news reporters.  

During questioning, Serop Der-Boghossian said he carried out sexual acts with minors in Akhtala between 2008 and 2009, and not in 2005. But this, according to Aram Amirzadyan, is just intended to raise the age of the adolescent boys.  

Amirzadyan also confirmed that Der-Boghossian was involved solely with the children of socially disadvantaged families, adding, however, that Der-Boghossian linked this to his charity work, ruled out that such families were specifically selected, and said he was merely helping them.  But in the prosecutor’s words, all victimized families had daily survival issues.         

Aram Amirzadyan also informed that questioning ended in this court session, and the next session will be held on October 24, during which new witnesses will testify.