NSS Reveals Case of Embezzlement of Large Sums by Official

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia has uncovered a case of embezzlement of particularly large sums of money, committed by an official, as part of its ongoing and uncompromising fight against various manifestations of corruption and in line with its policy to eradicate corruption.

Investigative and operational measures have shown that a former official who previously held the position of the mayor of Ijevan, in collaboration with the director of a non-profit community organization operating under the municipality, misused their official position to divert funds entrusted to said organization for the acquisition of various goods and the implementation of city improvement activities. These funds were transferred to various business entities, after which false official documents were created for the supply of goods and acceptance of works, and the particularly large sums of money transferred were embezzled.

Additionally, the aforementioned director, contrary to the interests of service and using their official position, issued orders for various positions within the non-profit community organization for 7 citizens who did not actually attend work. They allowed salaries to be disbursed in their names from 2014 to 2020, thus misappropriating significant amounts of money entrusted to them.

A criminal case has been initiated at the investigative department of the NSS under the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code for the cases of apparent crime, and an investigation is underway. Preliminary data indicates that a total of 17.6 million AMD has been embezzled. Relevant measures are being taken to ascertain the extent of the damage, identify those involved in the commission of the crime, and hold them accountable.