NSS Arrests Rector of St. Teresa Medical University on Bribery Charges

The National Security Service (NSS) has arrested the rector of the St. Teresa Medical University on bribery charges. According to ArmLur.am, on July 9, law enforcement was informed that the rector of St. Teresa Medical University, Lalita Ravikala Nath, a citizen of the Republic of India, had demanded a bribe equivalent to 1,390,620 AMD, or 2,000 US dollars, in April and received it on May 25.

As a result, upon learning of the incident, the NSS arrested the rector immediately. Consequently, on June 1, the Investigative Department of the Republic of Armenia initiated a criminal case under Article 200, Part 3 of the Criminal Code.

It became known that an investigation is underway at the NSS Investigative Department. It is worth recalling that on January 13, 2017, the NSS had reported the indictment of rectors of three private universities for issuing fake diplomas. It was uncovered that several rectors of private universities operating in Yerevan and the regions, accredited by the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science, had issued fake diplomas to individuals who did not attend classes and, in some cases, were absent from ongoing and final exams for profit motives.

Rector Larisa Hambartsumyan of the St. Teresa Medical University had previously faced charges for this act, and according to the court's decision, she was fined 300,000 AMD for her actions. Now, the rector has again come under the scrutiny of law enforcement, and the investigation will determine whether she is guilty this time.