State Suffered Damage of 11,877,000 AMD; 6 Arrested

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has obtained factual data regarding illegal logging activities at the Stepanavan forest enterprise of the 'Hayantar' SNCO through extensive investigative actions conducted under a criminal case. This involves the abuse of official powers, bribery, and taking bribes, leading to the initiation of a new criminal case and the arrest of six individuals. NEWS.am learns this from the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

As a result of large-scale collaborative actions undertaken by the Investigative Committee’s Department for the Investigation of Organized Crime, the Police’s Organized Crime Control Department, and employees of the National Security Service, several circumstances have been clarified.

Specifically, it has been revealed that approximately 191 various types and diameters of trees have been illegally felled in different holdings of the Stepanavan forest enterprise, causing damage amounting to 11,877,000 AMD to the state.

Additionally, data have been obtained about new incidents of apparent abuse of official powers, bribery, and receiving bribes by officials of the Stepanavan forest enterprise of 'Hayantar' SNCO in collusion with a group of individuals.

Extensive investigative and procedural actions have been carried out, including the questioning of several individuals and searches conducted in the homes of numerous persons involved in the illegal logging activities in Stepanavan and nearby villages.

A new criminal case has been initiated in the General Crimes and Electoral Crimes Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee under Article 308, Part 1, Article 311, Part 3, Clause 2, and Article 312, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, and a decision has been made to combine it with the criminal case being investigated by the Investigative Committee.

As a result of urgent measures taken, six individuals have been arrested, and they have provided testimonies regarding the case.

Part of the damage caused to the state due to illegal logging has been recovered.

The preliminary investigation continues, with active investigative measures being undertaken to clarify all circumstances and identify potential other accomplices.