Police Uncover Misconduct of Military Police Colonel; Accepted 6 Million Ruble Bribe

The officers of the General Department of Criminal Investigation of the Police received operational information indicating that a citizen of Armenian descent, wanted by Russian law enforcement for drug trafficking and smuggling, had given a substantial bribe to an employee of the Armenian military police in order to evade prosecution and resolve issues related to his wanted status.

On August 9, as a result of taken measures, the wanted individual was discovered in Yerevan, detained, and arrested. He reported that he had given approximately 6,000,000 rubles to the military police colonel in cash and bank transfers.

On the same day, a criminal case was initiated. A multifaceted investigation revealed evidence that the military police colonel had abused his official authority; upon the arrival of a friend's son in Armenia, he failed to perform his official duties and did not ensure the young man was held accountable.

Additionally, between 2014 and 2016, using his official position to take actions in favor of the wanted youth, he demanded and received a 6,000,000 ruble bribe from the young man's father in exchange for granting him Armenian citizenship and subsequently providing him with a military registration certificate.

Furthermore, according to information currently known to the investigation, in November 2015, the colonel, with direct intent to commit property theft, threatened the father with harm to his property located in Russia, through his son and parents, demanding that he perform a property transaction worth 1,000,000 rubles for his benefit.

A criminal case has been initiated. The military police colonel has been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.