Hidden Filming: NSS Reveals New Findings as 9 Individuals Arrested

Employees from the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia’s Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department, in collaboration with the investigative department of the NSS, have made significant progress in combating corruption. Following extensive investigative and procedural actions, as well as comprehensive operational and intelligence measures, they have uncovered cases of bribery involving the director of the Gyumri Territorial Center at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and his subordinates.

According to the findings of a criminal case initiated by the NSS’s investigative department, it has been established that A.A., the director of the Gyumri Employment Center, engaged in corrupt practices between February and March 2021. In collaboration with other officials under his authority, he solicited and received substantial amounts of bribes from multiple citizens, either personally or through his employees, in exchange for favorable decisions related to state programs. These included providing one-time compensation for employers in cases of placing uncompetitive individuals in the labor market, offering support for mothers on childcare leave returning to work, and aiding small businesses or livestock farming.

For instance, on March 19, 2021, after A.M., a socially vulnerable beneficiary of the program, received financial support for livestock farming and immediately handed over a bribe of 50,000 AMD to the assistant director of the Gyumri Employment Center, both the assistant director and other employees were subsequently apprehended by the NSS.

In total, 9 individuals have been arrested, including 8 women, such as the director and the deputy director of the center, along with 6 specialists under their supervision. All suspects, including the director, provided confessions under the pressure of irrefutable evidence collected during the investigation. The identities of the citizens who provided bribes to the center's employees have also been uncovered; one has been arrested while others have received a signature obligation as a preventive measure.

Throughout the investigation, over twenty searches were conducted, leading to the seizure of numerous significant items, including monetary bribes and documents containing notes about individuals who provided bribes. Decisions have been made to temporarily suspend the public service positions of the suspects involved.

Active investigative and operational measures are ongoing to uncover other corrupt offenses committed by employees of the Gyumri Territorial Center and the identities of those involved.

The NSS urges citizens and employees of state and community bodies to exhibit lawful behavior, while emphasizing that the public danger of offering and receiving bribes is high, undermining the normal functioning of state and administrative structures and damaging their reputation. Corruption remains a significant challenge that can impede the establishment of civil society and democratic governance.

Note: A person suspected or accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the established procedure under the Armenian Criminal Procedure Code by a legally binding court verdict.