Economics and Finance Ministers to Be Summoned for Interrogation

The Ministers of Economy and Finance, Vahan Kerobyan and Vahe Hovhannisyan, respectively, are set to be interrogated in connection with alleged corruption abuses at the Ministry of Economy. This information has been reported by Irakanum, citing law enforcement sources.

According to reports, the two officials have not yet been summoned for questioning, but names have been put forward to investigators, who will be invited to the Investigative Committee for interrogation in the coming days. Gor Abrahamyan, spokesperson for the Committee, did not deny this information. “All necessary investigative actions will be carried out to clarify the case and all circumstances surrounding it. This includes interrogations and other investigative and procedural actions,” Abrahamyan stated.

Regarding Vahan Kerobyan's recent statement suggesting that clarifications are still needed on the terminology of misappropriation and violations, Abrahamyan replied, “The Investigative Committee has already provided what was necessary to ensure publicity regarding the case. Naturally, final legal assessments will be made during the course of the criminal investigation.”

Earlier, the Investigative Committee announced a criminal case stating that officials from the Ministry of Economy allegedly facilitated the victory of a certain company in a procurement competition for “The Creation of a Public Investment Program Bank.” This was done by creating conditions that made it seemingly impossible for another competing foundation to participate, unlawfully deeming it non-compliant with the competition conditions and effectively removing it from the competition. As a result, the company that presented an offer of more than 392 million AMD, nearly three times higher than its competitor, was declared the winner of the competition.

These actions have violated the rights and legal interests of the competing foundation, causing substantial harm to the state. Yesterday, the NSS detained six individuals, including the former Deputy Minister of Economy Ani Isperyan, the sister-in-law of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and others.