Employees of the 6th Division Entered the Aramash Flour Factory

The employees of the 6th Division of the Police, numbering 12 and one of whom was armed, have entered the Aramash flour factory. Gurgen Nikoghosyan, the owner of the 'Modus Granum Holding', stated this in a conversation with Aravot.am.

This holding includes the mentioned factory, which also houses the holding's office. The company, previously known as 'Manana Grain', operates in several sectors, including stone quarrying and processing, production of animal feed, flour production, and more. According to Gurgen Nikoghosyan, he has not been informed of the reasons for the search: “I have not been in the republic; they came armed, entering the establishment with 12 people. And they showed no documents.”

According to the news source, the employees of the economic crimes division of the 6th Division have reportedly begun inspections since Thursday, which concern the holding's operations from 2016 to 2018.

“They say they have reports that we are paying workers less than listed, but in reality, we are paying more. They claimed there is tax evasion and shadow circulation. I told them that there is no such thing. But I’ve provided rooms, and they are conducting their investigation,” Nikoghosyan recounted.

After the first day of inspections, according to Nikoghosyan, employees of the company were summoned to the division through local residents and community leaders: “They threatened that if you don't write the truth, they will take you to Yerevan. They said, ‘we have already taken your friend; do you know what the 6th Division is?’ They intimidated people. They also violated their constitutional rights; they were not informed about their rights that they may not testify. But they threatened.” One of their workers returned after the interrogation and, in the presence of other employees, said, “I was beaten.” I told him to go see a lawyer, go to the police, go to the Ombudsman. He said, ‘no.’ We have a recording where employees recount how they prepared reports. Today, the head of the stone quarry has also been summoned to Yerevan by the 6th Division.

Our interrogated employee was told, “We know you are receiving wages on two lists, write how much.” He replied, “That is not true.” The investigators then said, “Write that you received a bonus at New Year that was not registered.” He answered, “I did not receive a bonus.” Gurgen Nikoghosyan asserts that his business is suffering due to the actions of law enforcement, claiming the holding has about 500 employees, all registered, with all wages paid and documentation in order.

“They are playing with my reputation; I am a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. I have been operating since 1992; how am I to blame for the changes in power? They are paralyzing our work. This is a violation of property rights. The investigation is not over, but I want the public to be aware that such methods are employed in the new Armenia. I don’t know, maybe this is a problem of private individuals working in state institutions. I think if I don’t receive prompt answers to all this, I will sell everything and leave Armenia, because this has become not a state but a dictatorship. My 8th-grade son says, ‘Dad, could they come to interrogate me too?’ They want to set me up,” he added.

In this regard, Aravot.am has requested clarifications from the police, where they assured that they would provide responses later.