Customs Officials Demanded and Received Large Bribes: NSS Disclosure

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia has uncovered a case of customs officials demanding and receiving a large bribe as part of its efforts to combat corruption. This was reported by the NSS press center.

According to initial data, employees of the investigation and operational intelligence department of the Revenue Committee of Armenia presented unverifiable demands against the director of a company engaged in the import and sale of diamonds during operational-intelligence measures. They threatened to conduct numerous inspection procedures, effectively creating unbearable conditions for the company's operations, unless the director organized the sales turnover primarily through invoices.

After putting the entrepreneur in a difficult situation, the officials of the Revenue Committee demanded around 2,000,000 AMD in bribes to show goodwill towards the company, not to identify apparent violations during operational-intelligence measures, and not to impose additional tax obligations, which was negotiated down to 1,000,000 AMD.

The transfer of the agreed amount took place under the operational control of NSS employees, immediately after which the officials were caught and taken into custody.

A criminal case has been initiated by the investigative department of the NSS regarding the committed crime, based on relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code. Two chief operatives of the Revenue Committee's investigation and operational intelligence department have been arrested. An investigation is underway.

The NSS of the Republic of Armenia calls on individuals engaged in economic activities to resist unlawful demands in similar situations and to immediately contact the relevant authorities.