Swedish citizen Cecilia Clark told Hetq about an incident, involving her sons, at the Energy Night Club, located on St Gregory the Illuminator Street in Yerevan.

Mrs. Clark says that three Swedish young men (18-19-year-old), who spent their holiday in Armenia, went to the Energy Club on the night of July 31, and ordered four beers, three cocktails and four shots.

The bill amounted to 332,000 drams (appr. $700). They first thought the whole thing was a joke, but when they realized it wasn’t, they refused to pay.

Mrs. Clark says that the club's security staff and owner took the boys to the basement and threatened them with a knife. The boys were forced to leave all their cash, 290,000 drams, at the club. According to Mrs. Clark, a police officer was at the scene and watched what happened, but didn’t intervene.

Mrs. Clark also sent a letter to the Armenian Prime Minister's office about the incident.

"I thought you were one of the most hospitable countries in the world. I hope the government will make every effort to close the Energy Club, and we hope that we will receive an apology and full refund,” Mrs. Clark writes in her letter to PM Pashinyan.

Mrs. Clark says there was a local teenager suggesting that the boys visit the club. She believes that the teenager and members of the police are part of the swindle targeting tourists. Mrs. Clark believes that Armenians are not allowed to enter the club.

There are several negative reviews about the Energy Club on Google.

Most of the comments are from Iranians complaining about high prices and fraudulent practices.

A Hetq reporter went to the Energy Club, run by Khachatur Khachatryan, for clarification.

A security guard escorted the reporter to the club's basement, where one of the managers, who wished to remain anonymous, refuted Cecilia Clark's story.

According to the executive, the bill was not that exorbitant, although he could not recall the exact number.

“When they saw the bill, they asked for a discount since they didn't have enough money. We helped, they were pleased and thankful,” says the club manager.

He claims no one at the club threatened the Swedish boys.

As for other visitors complaining about club prices, he says: "People can come and drink very old cognacs on the spot, and then wake up in the morning, remember the past evening and write ugly things down."

The manager insists that such shenanigans can’t happen at the club due to police officers standing watch nearby.

He also refuted the idea of a club-related teenager accompanying the Swedes to the club. In response to our question as to whether Armenians are allowed entrance, the manager said that Armenian couples can.

Criminal case launched, but no one charged

Based on Cecilia Clark's letter to the Prime Minister's Office, forwarded to the Police on August 23, a criminal case of cheating consumers was launched on September 2.

No one has yet been accused and the investigation continues.

Building housing the club is owned by company of the lieutenant general's wife

Burastan LLC has owned the building housing The Energy Club since 2001.

According to the State Register of Legal Entities, the sole owner of the company (founded in 1996) is Tatevik Sardaryan.

She is the wife of ex-chief of the Police Educational Complex, now retired lieutenant general, Hovhannes Varian.

Seeking clarification from Tatevik Sardaryan, we called the company. Her sister-in-law Manya Sardaryan answered the phone. 

“The building was originally a restaurant. Then we leased it,” said Manya Sardaryan, who denied any connection with the Energy Club, saying that it’s just been leased to them.