Arzvik Minasian Has No Relation to Alleged Embezzlement and Document Forgery: Investigative Committee Clarification

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has issued a clarification regarding the invitation of Arzvik Minasian for questioning.

“In the framework of the criminal case being investigated under Article 179, Part 2, Points 1 and 3, and Article 314 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia regarding the misappropriations discovered at the ‘Zvartnots’ Aviation Meteorological Center LLC, which is located in the territory of Yerevan’s ‘Zvartnots’ International Airport, Arzvik Minasian is being questioned as a witness,” the statement reads.

According to the materials of the criminal case, it was revealed that as a result of works conducted on June 19, 2017, six metal distribution boxes, purchased from an individual entrepreneur by the former director, were supposed to be installed at the Shirak Airport runway but were neither installed nor put into operation. However, according to the act of installation and commissioning of the distribution boxes, the said boxes were documented as being installed and put into operation at the Shirak Airport runway in Gyumri.

This act was validated with the company’s round seal and the signatures of the director, who was a public official at that time, the head of the technical maintenance service, and the technician of the same department.

Subsequently, an internal audit at the company also uncovered that according to the invoice, the company’s director had purchased 14 humidity meters and 15 thermometers from the individual entrepreneur, yet these items were not reflected in the company’s property list for 2015-2016, the inventory list for 2016, and the property transfer list formed by the commission established by the minister's order. As a result, the company incurred a total property damage of 1,060,000 Armenian drams.

The preliminary investigation continues. It should be noted that based on the data obtained from the investigation, Arzvik Minasian has no connection to the alleged embezzlement and document forgery. The ‘Zvartnots’ Aviation Meteorological Center LLC was established when Minasian was the Minister of Environment, and today he is being questioned as a witness to clarify matters related to the establishment and activities of the company.”