Temporary Director of Arpi Lake National Park Arrested

The National Security Service of Armenia has gathered evidence through materials prepared by the Shirak regional department regarding the temporary official in charge of the Arpi Lake National Park, G. A., who has allegedly demanded bribes from four persons during the 2017-2019 period in exchange for allowing haymaking within the park's territory.

According to the information provided by the Public Relations Department of the Prosecutor's Office, G. A. received significant bribes amounting to 250,000, 100,000, and 26,500 AMD, as well as material goods worth approximately 30,000 and 2,000,000 AMD for allowing illegal activities, and also demanded 165,000 AMD for facilitating works.

Abusing his official powers, G. A. allowed these individuals to conduct haymaking on larger areas than contractually permitted, causing substantial material damage to the legal interests of the National Park.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that in 2019, G. A. provided preferential conditions for various citizens to conduct haymaking in exchange for bribes, including permitting them to use larger plots of land than those specified in their contracts, for which he demanded and received 30% to 50% of the hay harvested from uncontracted areas as a bribe.

It was also found that between August and September 2019, G. A. committed large-scale embezzlement using his official position. He allegedly sold part of the hay, specifically 500 bundles, intended for the National Park under haymaking contracts, to an individual for 600,000 AMD, while an agreement was made for the remaining 1,100,000 AMD to be paid in December 2019.

On November 11, 2019, a criminal case was initiated under Articles 311, 308, 179, and 312 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, with the investigation being sent to the Shirak regional investigative department for further action.

On December 2, 2019, upon the instruction of the Shirak regional prosecutor, G. A. was arrested on suspicion of committing acts under Article 179, 311, and related sections of the Criminal Code. The investigation is ongoing, and appropriate investigative and procedural actions are being conducted to fully clarify the circumstances of the case.

Note: The alleged offender is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, with a conviction by a court of law.