Video: Former Director of the Armenian State Song Theatre Embezzled Over 40 Million Drams

The Armenian Police's main department for combating organized crime has uncovered misconduct by the former director of the Armenian State Song Theatre based on information received by the anti-corruption and economic crimes division.

According to preliminary data from the police, the former director allegedly abused his position from 1998 to 2019 with the unified intent of committing particularly large-scale embezzlement. He leased out various offices of the theatre's building on Khanchyan Street in Yerevan to different individuals and legal entities without contracts and, in some cases, with illegal contracts. The cash received from these leases was not deposited into the theatre's budget and was embezzled.

Current investigation data suggest that the official embezzled a total of approximately 41,780,000 drams.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the alleged crime and has been forwarded to the investigative body for further inquiry.

Note: The suspect or the 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 procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.