VIDEO: Head of Meghri Customs Received Large Bribes and Committed Official Falsifications

The Department for Economic Security and Counteracting Corruption of the National Security Service of Armenia, in collaboration with the Southern Customs Administration of the State Revenue Committee, has conducted extensive investigative and procedural actions, along with complex operational and intelligence measures, to combat corruption. As a result, it has been established that the head of the Meghri customs checkpoint, an official of the South Customs Administration of the Republic of Armenia, from July 5, 2020, to March 3, 2021, has received large bribes to carry out illegal actions benefiting certain individuals engaged in entrepreneurial activities, while also committing official forgeries.

During this period, H.M., in his capacity as the head of the Meghri customs checkpoint, accepted substantial bribes offered by individuals engaged in the importation of various cargoes from the Islamic Republic of Iran, having reached preliminary agreements with other officials of the same customs point, to commit clear illegal acts on behalf of these individuals and to refrain from certain actions.

Following the establishment of this agreement, H.M. and the other officials omitted their official duties and knowingly failed to document the presence of items eligible for customs clearance upon the trucks' arrival at the customs checkpoint, allowing the import of metal brackets and coolant for car engines from Iran without proper customs oversight.

The customs clearance procedures, as imposed by a government decree, were circumvented, and the necessary checks of the vehicles were not completed as required.

Moreover, to conceal their criminal activities, the officials fabricated internal transit declarations containing false information and provided these falsified documents to the drivers after they reached designated locations, ensuring that they would destroy the documents afterward.

In total, around 70,250 tons of metal brackets and 23 tons of automotive engine coolant were smuggled from Iran into Armenia during 2020 through the established criminal scheme, resulting in substantial bribes received.

Additionally, V.D., a business owner registered with the Ministry of Justice of Armenia, also engaged in smuggling Iranian automobile oils into Armenia from September 2020 to March 3, 2021, urging customs officials to abuse their powers to avoid paying significant taxes and duties.

During the investigation, 1,332 barrels of motor oil brought through smuggling routes were discovered and seized by National Security Service employees during the unloading process. Over a dozen searches indicated sufficient evidence to support the claim regarding the ongoing smuggling of goods into Armenia.

After accumulating substantial evidence, the head of the customs department and several customs inspectors were charged under relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Pre-trial detention was chosen for six individuals, while others received alternative measures not involving imprisonment.

The National Security Service continues to conduct necessary investigative actions to clarify the real extent of the damage caused to the state and to uncover further criminal manifestations by customs inspectors and businesses involved.

The National Security Service urges business entities to operate solely in the legal framework and to refrain from engaging in corrupt practices.

Note: A suspect or accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia and the legally binding court ruling.