Revelation at the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition: State Losses Amount to 155 Million Drams, Fuel Also Unnecessarily Withdrawn

The employees of the Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Department of the Criminal Police Chief's Office have uncovered incidents of previously committed crimes. Based on operational information, materials have been prepared and factual data obtained, indicating that officials from the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) acted in favor of several companies for personal gain, abusing their official positions against the interests of the service.

Specifically, on August 8, 2017, employees of the SCPEC forged data in the columns of testing protocols provided by 'Standard Dialogue', which is an official document, indicating that the products did not meet the established standards. As a result of this forgery, 12 dairy-producing companies were exempted from administrative liability equal to one percent of their annual turnover as stipulated by law, totaling approximately 155 million drams. The state suffered significant losses as a result.

Other factual data has also been received. Officials of the SCPEC, with a united intention to commit theft, appointed two individuals to expert and specialist positions from 2015 to 2017, unlawfully assigning a 'Toyota' brand vehicle registered in the institution's balance to one of them. These individuals did not attend work; however, salaries and bonuses were issued in their names. The vehicle was not used for the needs of the commission, yet 9113 liters of fuel were withdrawn during this time. Thus, through embezzlement and waste, more than 12 million drams were stolen.

A criminal case has been initiated in connection with these incidents.