Former New Nork District Head Charged by Investigative Committee

In the ongoing criminal case at the Avan and New Nork administrative district investigation department of the RA Investigative Committee, various circumstances of embezzlement by the former head of the New Nork administrative district of Yerevan and the former head of its financial department have been revealed. The Investigative Committee's Department of Information and Public Relations has reported this.

According to preliminary data, Arman Ulikhanyan, who held the position of head of the New Nork administrative district from May 21, 2012, to September 5, 2018, is accused of using his official position for personal gain by creating false documents and committing significant embezzlement.

Specifically, having reached a preliminary agreement with the director of a private company authorized to organize various events, he decided to embezzle the funds allocated for organizing and holding an event dedicated to the "Motherhood and Beauty" celebration on April 7, 2016.

For this purpose, a fake document was created, namely a transfer-acceptance protocol, stating that an event was supposedly organized and held in a restaurant, while in reality, it did not take place. As a result, the district head, using his official position and in agreement with the company’s director, embezzled a significant amount intended for the event, causing material damage to the community.

The investigation has also identified other apparent abuses committed by the district head.

In 2018, according to contracts signed between the Yerevan City Hall and seven organizations, various construction materials, benches, swings, and conversation areas were acquired for the New Nork administrative district. However, it remains unclear when and by whom these goods were received. The documents verifying the acquisition were signed by the district head but were not executed, and no measures were taken by the administrative staff for the effective use of the received materials or to ensure proper documentation of their usage/expenditure.

Moreover, discrepancies were discovered in the property transfer-acceptance processes within the administrative building of the New Nork territorial administration, where a shortfall was recorded by a commission formed based on the results of fixed asset registration.

During the investigation, data has also been obtained regarding embezzlement allegedly committed by the head of the financial department of the New Nork administrative district. Since May 31, 2010, responsible for the procurement and distribution of stationery, the head of the financial department allegedly entered blatantly false information into the lists regarding the amount of A4 paper provided to various divisions, inflating the numbers while actually distributing less paper. The unallocated paper amounted to a significant sum that was embezzled, causing material damage to the community.

Criminal cases have been initiated regarding these incidents, and a decision has been made to consolidate them into a single proceeding for joint investigation.

During the investigation, various investigative actions have been carried out, including interviews with staff members and searches.

Based on sufficient evidence, former head of the New Nork administrative district Arman Ulikhanyan has been charged under points 1, 2, and 3 of part 2 of Article 179 and part 1 of Article 314 of the RA Criminal Code, while the head of the financial department has been charged under points 1 and 3 of part 2 of Article 179 and part 1 of Article 314 of the same code. As a preventive measure, a signature for non-leaving has been chosen for them.

The investigation continues.

Notice: The suspected or accused in the alleged crime is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court decision that has entered into legal force in accordance with the procedures established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code.