Court sentences perpetrator in trans woman’s murder, but fails to investigate hate motive

On May 6, 2025, the Yerevan First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction issued a verdict in the case, sentencing the defendant to 10 years in prison for the murder of a trans woman. However, neither the investigative body nor the court made any effort to determine whether the crime was committed with a hate motive. Even though the victim’s representative raised the possibility of a hate motive during the preliminary investigation and continued to emphasize it throughout the trial, this factor was never properly examined or included in the charges. As a result, the court, relying solely on the scope of the indictment, had no real opportunity to assess the full range of possible motives behind the crime. This reflects a systemic disregard, where potential prejudice toward trans people and hate-based crimes committed against them are not only unacknowledged but remain entirely outside the scope of criminal proceedings. Particularly troubling is the fact that, despite public concerns and reports of threats, law enforcement authorities failed to take sufficient action to investigate or evaluate these factors. 

The low level of societal acceptance of trans people and the presence of transphobia often render them extremely vulnerable to crimes. At the same time, the prevailing impunity for violations and hate speech targeting LGBT+ people further aggravates this vulnerability, sending a message of tolerance to perpetrators who act without fear of real punishment or accountability. Given these circumstances, it is crucial that hate motive be considered as a possible factor in any crime against transgender people. 

Pink Human Rights Defender NGO stresses that this case demonstrates just how vulnerable trans people are, not only to violence but also to the indifference of the justice system. Widespread societal discrimination is reflected in law enforcement and judicial institutions as well. Therefore, it is essential that investigations into such cases be thorough and multi-faceted, with serious attention given to the possibility of a hate-based motive. 

The organization will continue to monitor the developments and insist that justice must be comprehensive, inclusive, and protective of the rights of vulnerable groups,including the proper investigation of crimes motivated by hatred based on gender identity.