Video: Head of 'Bavra' Customs Point Shift Arrested

The National Security Service of Armenia, adhering to its policy of eradicating various manifestations of corruption, has uncovered another case of receiving a notably large bribe following operational-intelligence measures and investigative actions undertaken within the framework of its legally assigned functions.

Specifically, factual data has been received indicating that the head of the shift at the 'Bavra' customs point, acting on behalf of the representative of the Armenian State Revenue Committee's northern customs office, and two customs inspectors, accepted an offer from the co-owner of an organization involved in cargo transportation on January 25, 2020, agreeing to receive a bribe equivalent to 3,000 USD (1,436,610 AMD) in exchange for allowing approximately 4.5 tons of cargo transported from Georgia by this organization to pass through customs without proper customs oversight and documentation.

As a result, state revenue committee employees, contrary to the interests of their service and driven by mercenary motives, failed to perform their official duties and did not subject a truck that entered the 'Bavra' customs point from Georgia on the early morning of February 6, 2020, to customs inspection. On the contrary, to eliminate obstacles in achieving their criminal purpose, one of the customs officers contacted a friend who, for a reward of 200 USD, diverted the attention of other customs inspectors and other services present in the customs zone, resulting in group members abusing their official powers by allowing the truck driver to leave the customs area without customs clearance, thereby discrediting the state institution, disrupting its normal operations, and causing significant damage to the legitimate interests of the state.

However, under the supervision of the operational units of the NSS, they were caught and apprehended, with one of the customs officials confessing to the commission of the crime. A criminal case has been initiated in the NSS Investigative Department under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Armenia regarding the apparent cases of criminal activity, and four individuals suspected of committing the crime have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, and measures are being taken to clarify the circle of individuals involved in the corruption chain and to legally assess the actions they have undertaken.