A University Department Head in Vanadzor Arrested for Accepting Bribes

The investigative committee of Armenia has initiated proceedings regarding the head of a department at the "Vanadzor State University after H. Tumanyan" foundation, who was allegedly involved in accepting commercial bribes and other forms of bribery to ensure positive outcomes for a number of students’ examinations, tests, coursework, and final thesis projects.

According to the reports from the Armenia Investigative Committee, it has been discovered that the department head, possessing the authority to organize and manage educational, methodological, scientific, research and other activities, as well as being responsible for the results of examination periods and final examinations, had reached an agreement through an intermediary resident of Vanadzor. This agreement involved providing favorable evaluations for several students in exchange for a certain sum of money.

The investigation revealed that the department head regularly received varying amounts of bribes from the intermediary, with part of the collected funds being handed over to the intermediary, while students' coursework, examinations, and tests were graded positively.

On May 5, 2020, the department head was arrested on suspicion of committing crimes outlined in Article 200 (commercial bribery) part 3, Article 311 (accepting a bribe) part 3 point 3, and part 1 of the same article of the Criminal Code of Armenia, and he provided confessional statements.

Charges have been filed against eight students under Article 200 part 1 and Article 312 part 1 (giving a bribe), and the intermediary faces charges under Article 38-200 (assisting in commercial bribery) part 1 and Article 313 part 1 (intermediating a bribe). As a precautionary measure, a signature not to leave the country has been selected for them. The preliminary investigation continues.

Note: The suspect or accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia by a final court judgment.