Arrest Warrant Issued for Gurgen Khachatryan, NSS Reports

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, adhering to its principle of rooting out various manifestations of corruption, has announced that an arrest warrant has been issued for Gurgen Khachatryan. This decision comes within the framework of its operations and during an ongoing criminal investigation into cases of abuse of official powers by several high-ranking officials of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia.

The investigation revealed that the sons of Khachatryan, who previously held the positions of Chairman of the State Revenue Committee and later Minister of Finance, established a commercial organization for supplying goods and providing services in the information technology sector, based on prior agreement with a relative. This arrangement took advantage of their father’s official position.

Using their father’s position, they allegedly directed state funds amounting to substantial sums to their organization by securing numerous supply and service contracts with the State Revenue Committee during 2008-2020, significantly inflating contract values to embezzle public resources.

In addition, Khachatryan, responsible for government revenue formation and management of state finances, reportedly misused his office to facilitate the signing of a procurement contract at an inflated price, resulting in an improper transfer of funds amounting to approximately 1.5 billion AMD.

Investigations have indicated that Khachatryan’s sons engaged in negotiations with a businessman regarding the bribery of significant amounts aimed at obtaining undue advantages, particularly in their ongoing concealment efforts of the illicit origins of the funds transferred to non-resident companies in Armenia.

Moreover, after sufficient evidence was gathered, legal charges were filed against the organization’s director under relevant articles of the criminal code, with the court opting for detention as a preventative measure. Following this, a warrant was issued for Khachatryan’s son, who failed to appear before the investigator as mandated and has since evaded law enforcement.

The investigation is ongoing, focusing on tracking down the fugitive defendant and uncovering the complete network of individuals involved in this prolonged and concealed unlawful activity, along with ensuring the recovery of criminally acquired property.