VIDEO: School Principal in Stepanavan Sold UN-Provided Flour and Embezzled Security Guard's Salary; Criminal Case Initiated

The police continue their coordinated efforts to uncover corruption-related crimes in educational institutions. According to operational information received from the NSS to the Chief Department of Combating Organized Crime of the police, the principal of Haghartsin High School has committed several abuses. Officers from the Chief Department's Unit Against Corruption and Economic Crimes have gathered evidence, in collaboration with the Tavush regional administration and Dilijan division employees, that the principal of Haghartsin High School, abusing his official position, registered the former deputy director of the Ijevan City Culture House as a group leader from December 2015 until July 2016. The individual did not report to work during this period, and the 2,000,000 AMD salary issued in his name was squandered by the principal.

Another piece of operational information received from the NSS indicates that the principal of Stepanavan Secondary School No. 2 has also committed abuses during his tenure. Through operational-investigative measures, police officers have gathered evidence that the principal issued an order for an individual to be registered as a security guard. This person has not attended work from November 2008 to December 2018. The 5,765,300 AMD salary issued in his name was embezzled by the principal. Furthermore, the principal sold part of the flour allocated to the school by the UN 'World Program-Armenia' office, causing substantial material damage.

Officers from the Chief Department's Unit Against Corruption and Economic Crimes, cooperating with the Lori regional administration and the Bazum division staff, have uncovered the abuses of the head of the Vanadzor Polytechnic College named after Sargis Tevosyan. Preliminary data indicates that in 2016, the principal hired the husband of the college's accountant, who has not reported to work, and the salary issued in his name was embezzled. Additionally, the principal hired his wife and daughters, who also did not report to work. In this case as well, their salaries were embezzled. Salaries belonging to two individuals registered as workers and computer maintenance staff at the college, who did not report to work from 2014 to 2016, were also embezzled. In total, the college principal embezzled 2,300,000 AMD.

Criminal cases have been initiated regarding these incidents. The circumstances are being clarified during the preliminary investigation.

Video available here.