Three Tax Authority Employees Receive Bribe of 1,000,000 AMD

During the investigation of a criminal case by the Special Investigative Service of Armenia, sufficient evidence was gathered to substantiate that three employees from the State Revenue Committee's Audit Department for Small Taxpayers colluded to extort a large sum of 1,000,000 AMD in bribes.

Specifically, S. A. engaged in conversations with a business owner regarding alleged violations within the company. He then, through coercion, personally demanded a significant bribe by threatening to hinder company operations and to reveal nonexistent violations. Following this, S. A. reached an agreement with the entrepreneur to accept a bribe of 1,000,000 AMD in exchange for refraining from obstructing the company’s operations between September and December 2018.

As per their agreement, on October 22, 2018, S. A. met with the owner of the LLC in his office and personally received the substantial bribe of 1,000,000 AMD. Immediately thereafter, he called the department head S. E. to arrange a meeting with him and to obtain assurance from S. E. regarding not hindering the company’s operations in exchange for the bribe. However, during the phone conversation, S. A. was apprehended by officers from the Police Headquarters for the Fight Against Organized Crime.

Charges have been filed against S. A., V. L., and S. E. for receiving a large bribe through extortion under Article 311, Part 3, Points 1, 2, and 3 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. They have been placed in custody as a preventive measure.

The investigation of the criminal case has been completed. The case has been sent with a prosecution conclusion to the supervising prosecutor, with a request to forward it to court.