Video: NSS Discovers Corruption in the Ministry of Defense

The employees of the Syunik regional department of the NSS of Armenia, persistently fighting against corruption, in collaboration with the employees of the investigative department of the NSS, have uncovered a case of an employee of the Ministry of Defense demanding and receiving a particularly large bribe. The bribe was sought for releasing a conscript from mandatory military service under the pretext of non-existent health issues.

Specifically, the citizen R.K., after receiving the right to deferment from military service twice, applied for a third time during the military emergency declared on September 27, 2020, in Armenia and Artsakh. In the winter of 2021, after passing a medical examination without any issues, R.K. aimed to be recognized as exempt from mandatory military service by fabricating a non-existent illness listed in the government’s decree.

R.K. approached a relative's acquaintance, K.D., an employee of the Ministry of Defense, who promised to address the issue within his authority. For these illegal actions, K.D. demanded a bribe of $3,000, equivalent to 1,574,940 AMD.

After reaching an agreement on the bribe, K.D. carried out blatant illegal actions, leading to R.K. being exempted from the scheduled call-up for military service during the state of emergency without any legal grounds for exemption. Following this, with the assistance of another individual, R.K. sought to obtain the $3,000 from Armenian banks to fulfill the promise to deliver it to the official.

As a result of complex investigative and operational measures carried out in the criminal case opened by the NSS investigative department, on April 20, 2021, at 11:30 PM, the $3,000 bribe was handed over to the official by R.K. through another person and was subsequently seized by the NSS territorial division.

Through extensive investigative and procedural actions, as well as searches, the $3,000 bribe was discovered, and the identities of all individuals connected to the crime were established. They have been taken to the NSS regional department in Syunik and arrested, providing confessional testimonies during interrogation.

Comprehensive measures are being undertaken to clarify all circumstances of the case and to provide adequate legal assessment to the actions of those who committed the apparent crime. The NSS informs that the practice of exposing various corrupt manifestations in public administration will continue, with a zero-tolerance approach being adopted in this regard.

Notice: The suspect or accused is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Code of Criminal Procedure of Armenia, based on a legally binding court verdict.