Aghazaryan Demanded a Bribe of $200,000 to $300,000: Vardapetyan

The Chief Prosecutor of Armenia, Anna Vardapetyan, has filed charges against former ruling party member and current independent MP, Hovik Aghazaryan, in the National Assembly.

Vardapetyan stated in parliament that in the first episode of the criminal case, Aghazaryan promised to arrange the export of agricultural animals to a citizen in exchange for bribes and using fake documents. According to the prosecutor, the export was planned to be carried out through the abuse of the MP's official powers by bribing officials of the State Food Safety Service, as well as without quarantining the animals and utilizing forged documents.

For this purpose, Aghazaryan demanded a bribe of $200,000 to $300,000 for the export of 150-200 agricultural animals to the UAE. “Aghazaryan was initially offered $20,000, but the MP refused, stating that the full previously agreed amount had to be paid in advance so that he could pass it on to the relevant officials,” Vardapetyan declared.

In the second episode of the criminal case, according to the prosecutor, Aghazaryan demanded a bribe of $23,000 and 300,000 Armenian drams from a certain Aram Mkrtchyan for demolishing the dilapidated building of N 136 primary school in Ajapnyak and constructing a multi-apartment building instead on part of the land. Starting from 2021, this sum was to be paid to Aghazaryan in installments so that he could obtain permits for constructing residential buildings by abusing his official powers from the competent authorities.

Vardapetyan noted that there are videos attached to the case that substantiate these claims. “Despite his promise, Aghazaryan was unable to organize the receipt of relevant permits from the competent authorities and at the same time did not return the money to Aram Mkrtchyan,” highlighted the prosecutor.

Vardapetyan mentioned that after the session of the National Assembly, the criminal proceedings will be fully forwarded to the court.