Major Bribe-Taking Case Uncovered; NSS Employees Arrested

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, in its relentless fight against corrupt practices and in pursuit of the legal functions assigned to it for combating crime and corruption in Armenia, has uncovered a case involving the abuse of official position and the receipt of a particularly large bribe by its own officials during operational and investigative activities.

According to initial data, the head of the Erebuni Division of the Yerevan City Department of the NSS and an operative, by tarnishing the honor of the officer's rank, misused their official position for purposes contrary to the interests of service. On July 24, 2019, they unlawfully brought a citizen of India who was residing in Armenia into the department without reasonable grounds or documentation, threatening to take measures to deport him from Armenia and hold him criminally liable without cause, extorting a bribe of 20,300 USD and 300,000 AMD.

Subsequently, with the assistance of an acquaintance, including threats of violence against the victim, they further demanded an additional 3,700 USD.

A criminal case has been initiated by the Investigative Department of the NSS on July 31, 2019, in accordance with the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Two officials and their accomplice have been arrested. The initiated criminal case has been transferred to the Special Investigative Service of Armenia for further investigation.