Violations at 31 Gas Stations Result in 16.7 Billion Dram in Damages

The Investigative Department of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) is currently examining 330 criminal cases, of which 31 pertain to gas stations. This was announced today during a press conference by SRC Deputy Chairman Eduard Hovhannisyan.

“The violations are attributed to gas stations selling larger volumes of gas prior to the revolution, which, upon analysis after the revolution, reflected a significantly different scenario indicating shadow circulation. The SRC has substantiated and proven that more gas was consumed and sold before the revolution than after it,” he stated.

Hovhannisyan mentioned that the administrative acts prepared by SRC regarding tax liabilities are already in the judicial phase, while the pre-trial investigation for criminal cases continues.

Notably, the estimated damages resulting from the violations found at the gas stations amount to 16.7 billion dram. For comparison, the damages calculated from the remaining 299 cases currently under investigation total 15.3 billion dram.

When asked how many gas stations have been closed as a result of these investigations, Eduard Hovhannisyan did not provide specifics. Instead, the President of the SRC noted that during the SRC’s studies of gas stations, the price-volume relationship was also addressed, concerning which consumers have recently expressed doubts.

It is important to mention that if the total estimated damage caused to the state from the 330 criminal cases currently being examined amounts to 32 billion dram, then the damages caused specifically by the gas stations represent nearly half of that total, at 16.7 million dram. The majority of the criminal cases against gas stations were initiated last year.