Former Yerevan Mayor Received $75,000 Bribe: NSS New Revelation

The National Security Service of Armenia, viewing the uncompromising struggle against various manifestations of corruption as a priority, has uncovered a case of receiving a particularly large bribe through operational-investigative measures and investigative actions carried out within the framework of its legal functions.

The NSS informed NEWS.am that evidence has been obtained indicating that in 2009, a high-ranking official managing the municipality of Yerevan received a bribe totaling $75,000 from the founder of a construction company, which was developing apartment buildings in the city. This was in exchange for actions favorable to the company, removing obstacles to the resumption of a halted construction project, and increasing taxation, all facilitated in part through the official's brother and city hall officials.

To finally resolve these issues, the official also demanded a 200 square meter apartment in the building under construction for the needs of the Yerevan municipality.

A criminal case has been initiated by the investigative department of the NSS based on the relevant article of the Armenian Criminal Code, and a pre-trial investigation is underway.