Investigation Concludes in Case of Counterfeit Currency Circulation

The investigation into the criminal case regarding the preparation, possession, and circulation of counterfeit currency has been completed by the Gegharkunik Regional Investigative Department of the Republic of Armenia's Investigative Committee.

According to the obtained evidence, on July 20, 2019, at different times, a 26-year-old resident of Yerevan, with the assistance of a 44-year-old resident of the city of Gavar, and also alone at a restaurant complex located on the Sevan Peninsula and another restaurant complex in Dilijan, claimed to the managers that he had no cash to pay. Subsequently, through exchange, he sold one counterfeit €500 note in exchange for 250,000 AMD from their personal funds, and the 26-year-old paid for the food consumed from that amount before leaving.

Additionally, the 26-year-old resident of Yerevan, having reached a preliminary agreement with a 44-year-old man to sell another counterfeit €500 note, purchased a gold piece weighing 13.9 grams from one of Yerevan’s gold markets through a resident of Gavar, again using counterfeit currency for payment.

Based on the sufficient evidence gathered, the 26-year-old resident of Yerevan has been charged under part 1 of Article 202 of the RA Criminal Code (preparation, possession, or circulation of counterfeit currency or securities for the purpose of circulation - two episodes), and under point 2 of part 2 of the same article (collective preparation, possession, or circulation of counterfeit currency or securities for the purpose of circulation with preliminary agreement). A measure of detention has been applied to him.

The resident of Gavar has been charged under part 1 of Article 38-202 of the RA Criminal Code (aiding in the preparation, possession, or circulation of counterfeit currency or securities for the purpose of circulation) and under point 2 of part 2 of Article 202 (collective preparation, possession, or circulation of counterfeit currency or securities for the purpose of circulation with preliminary agreement). The court has allowed the application of an alternative preventive measure in the form of bail for him.

The investigation has been completed, and the criminal case has been sent to court with a prosecutorial conclusion.