Bribery to Compensate for Shortfall in State Funding: NSS Provides Details

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia has received information regarding the provision of a particularly large bribe to a senior official at the Ministry of Health as part of its mandated functions to combat crime and corruption, according to the NSS press service.

As a result of extensive operational and investigative measures, concrete evidence has been obtained that the director of a medical institution intended to secure the patronage of the deputy minister who coordinates the funding provided to health facilities by the Ministry of Health and to create favorable working conditions for himself.

On March 30, 2019, the director handed over a large sum of money as a bribe to the deputy health minister in his office to compensate for the shortfall in funding for the organization through various programs under the state procurement framework. The transfer was carried out under the operational control of NSS employees.

A criminal case has been initiated in the investigative department of the NSS based on the alleged crime under Part 4 of Article 311 and Part 1 of Article 312 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. The deputy minister, who was detained on the same day, has been arrested on suspicion of receiving a particularly large bribe. The individual suspected of giving the bribe has been subjected to a travel restriction measure, taking into account his age and health condition.

The preliminary investigation continues, and measures are being taken to uncover other potential manifestations of corruption in this sector and all individuals related to them.

Aysor.am reports that according to circulating information, Deputy Minister of Health Arsen Davtyan received a bribe of three thousand dollars from Razmik Abrahamyan, the director of the "Republican" maternity hospital.