Operative Filming: Individuals Arrested for Receiving Bribes - NSS

The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, adhering to its principle of eradicating various manifestations of corruption, has obtained factual information regarding another apparent case of bribery by officials of the Medical-Social Expertise Agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. This information is a result of operational and investigative measures taken within the framework of its legal responsibilities against corruption.

According to the obtained data, the head of the Gegharkunik Region's Medical-Social Expertise Commission under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, who has organizational and managerial authority in his official capacity, along with preliminary agreements with commission members and the health statistician, has been regularly demanding and receiving bribes in varying amounts from citizens applying to the agency in exchange for making decisions in their favor. This includes establishing the duration of disability and changing disability groups.

In connection with the apparent criminal offenses under the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code, four individuals implicated in the alleged crime were caught again while receiving bribes under the supervision of NSS operative units. During the conducted search, the object of the bribe was found, after which the mentioned individuals were detained and arrested. Given the presence of irrefutable evidence, the commission chairman, who is an official, and his accomplices admitted to committing the crime.

The pre-investigation is ongoing, and appropriate measures are being taken to uncover other offenses committed by the group and to identify and hold accountable other individuals involved in the criminal chain.