Charges Filed Against Tax Committee Official in Case Involving Minister's Relatives' Company: NSS Disclosure

The National Security Service of Armenia, adhering to the principle of uprooting various manifestations of corruption, has advanced charges against a state revenue official in connection with the unlawful actions of several senior officials from the State Revenue Committee (SRC).

According to information provided by the NSS, an operational investigation was initiated based on evidence gathered during the investigation of a criminal case regarding misuse of official powers by SRC officials. One official has now been formally charged with abusing their position, leading to severe consequences for the state.

Reportedly, from 2014 to 2015, the head of one of the key departments of the Ministry of Finance, responsible for customs control over goods crossing Armenia's borders, allegedly provided substantial benefits to business founders connected to the minister's relatives. This was done by instructing a customs inspector—under their authority—to ignore the mandatory inspection requirements for shipments imported under specific conditions presented by a certain company.

As a result of this improper directive, representatives of that business were able to declare ceramic tiles imported from Spain and Italy as construction gypsum, significantly reducing their customs value. They utilized false invoices and corresponding calculations submitted to tax authorities to evade proper customs clearance and taxation of these expensive construction materials.

The actions of the aforementioned official grossly violated legal statutes regulating matters in this field, disrupted the normal functioning of state bodies responsible for monitoring the circulation of goods and tax collection, and compromised the integrity of governmental institutions. Furthermore, they created unequal conditions for businesses importing similar goods, fostering a climate conducive to criminal activity that has inflicted financial damage on the state.

Based on a combination of interconnected and reliable evidence, the official has been charged under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Considering the fact that this individual left the territory of Armenia in September 2018, an international search warrant has been issued, and the court has opted for detention as a preventive measure.

The pre-trial investigation continues, with efforts underway to locate the fugitive and clarify their involvement in other criminal cases.