Police Identify Large-Scale Abuses in Nor Nork Administrative District (Video)

The officers from the Police's Department for Combating Organized Crime have identified large-scale abuses in the Nor Nork administrative district following extensive operational and intelligence measures. According to preliminary data obtained during the investigation, it has been determined that the head of the Nor Nork administrative district and several officials, abusing their official positions, coerced individuals and legal entities from 2012 to 2018 into making additional payments to the 'Nor Nork' development foundation for various permits, threatening to terminate contracts if payments were not made.

As a result, individual officials from the Nor Nork administrative district have allegedly forced payments amounting to approximately 11 million 250 thousand drams to the foundation. Furthermore, between 2014 and 2016, financial resources were unlawfully withdrawn from the administrative district's budget for various celebrations, including the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide and other events. Following these events, officials reportedly reached prior agreements with the management of the 'Nor Nork' development foundation to use these funds under the pretense of executing the aforementioned events, resulting in cash being illegally transferred to officials of the neighborhood administration, estimated at around 7 million drams.

Subsequent records were fabricated to indicate that the withdrawn amounts were intended for carrying out activities by the heads of departments. Additionally, despite the 'Nor Nork' development foundation ceasing operations in December 2016, some officials continued to collect payments in cash from individuals who had rented spaces in the administrative building from January 2017 to May 2018, resulting in an alleged fraudulent appropriation of approximately 900 thousand drams.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding these apparent criminal offenses. Measures are being taken to clarify all circumstances, and the preliminary investigation is ongoing.