Large Sums Embezzled by Head of Judicial Department Revealed

Significant operational-investigative activities, along with judicial and other procedural actions carried out by the National Security Service of Armenia, have yielded sufficient evidence that an individual holding the position of head of the Bankruptcy Court's staff—established to ensure the normal functioning of the Courts in accordance with Article 163, part 1 of the Constitution of Armenia and Article 2 of the constitutional law on the Judicial Code of the Republic of Armenia—abused their official powers. From 2018 to 2020, this individual exploited their position for personal gain by falsely employing several citizens, knowingly preparing and authenticating fictitious "Work Time Calculation Reports" containing false information regarding the attendance and actual working hours of five employees, despite being aware of their absenteeism and failure to fulfill work obligations.

By circulating these fraudulent documents, funds were withdrawn from the state budget as salary for unworked days, amounting to a particularly large sum of 9,340,946 AMD, which they embezzled as a result of misusing their position.

A criminal case has been initiated in the investigative department of the NSS under features of Article 179, part 3, clause 1, and Article 314, part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, with an investigation ongoing. Following prior notification to the Supreme Judicial Council, investigative measures were conducted at both the administrative building of the Bankruptcy Court and the actual residence of the head of the court's staff, resulting in the discovery and seizure of salary payment cards registered under various individuals' names, foreign currency, documents containing records on the transfer of foreign currency, and other materials relevant to the criminal case.

On July 27, 2020, based on direct suspicion of committing an offense, the head of the Bankruptcy Court staff was taken in for questioning, where they admitted guilt and fully compensated the damages caused to the state. Comprehensive measures are being undertaken to clarify all circumstances of the case, ascertain the complete circle of individuals who committed the apparent offense, and provide an appropriate legal assessment of their actions, thereby effectively pursuing the issues defined under Article 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia.

The NSS informs that the practice of exposing corrupt practices in various sectors of public administration will continue relentlessly, and the Service will maintain a zero-tolerance approach, especially regarding cases of embezzlement of public funds. Citizens are urged to exhibit lawful behavior.

Note: A person suspected of or charged with an alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia by a court verdict that has entered into legal force.