Corruption Scheme in the Ministry of Social Affairs Revealed by NSS

The National Security Service of the Republic has uncovered and disrupted a corruption scheme involving employees of the Medical-Social Expertise Agency in the Lori region, a part of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia.

According to preliminary information, M.M., the head of the Lori region's Commission No. 1 of the Medical-Social Expertise Agency, along with other commission members, reached a preliminary agreement to conduct relevant medical-social expertise as mandated by their official position. They were to determine the legally prescribed disability group and duration for citizens and make other favorable decisions on behalf of the citizens. From December 2018 to April 2019, they allegedly demanded and received a total of 645,000 dram in bribes from dozens of individuals, with each bribe amounting to between 20,000 and 55,000 dram.

A criminal case has been initiated in the investigative department of the NSS based on Article 311, Part 3, Subparagraph 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia regarding the apparent crime. One individual has been charged, and the preventive measure selected is detention.

An investigation is underway.

Notice: A suspect or accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law, established by a court judgment that has entered into legal force.