Forest Ranger of ‘Sevan National Park’ Arrested for Illegal Fishing

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported that necessary investigative actions have uncovered several circumstances surrounding the bribery case involving Taron Khachatryan, the forest ranger of the 'Aravik' branch of the 'Sevan National Park'. He has been arrested.

According to the Investigative Committee, based on the data obtained during the investigation, the forest ranger of the 'Aravik' branch, in order not to initiate proceedings on the illegal logging of trees in the branch's territory, reached a preliminary agreement with the director of that branch and received a bribe from a resident of Vardenis on May 12, 2019.

On August 15, 2019, the forest ranger of the 'Aravik' branch of the 'Sevan National Park' was arrested on suspicion of committing a crime under the second part of Article 311, section 3 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

According to NEWS.am, Taron Khachatryan is from the village of Tsovak in Gegharkunik region. Residents of Tsovak blocked the Yerevan-Sevan-Vardenis highway at the part near their village this morning in protest. They believe that Khachatryan has been arrested without proper grounds and demand his release. After blocking the road for about 40 minutes, the villagers opened the road following negotiations with the police.