Tax Inspectors Demanded and Received Over 1 Million Drams in Bribes: Police

The police of Armenia have uncovered cases involving tax inspectors from the State Revenue Committee who demanded and received bribes from various businesses in Yerevan's Erebuni administrative area during 2020-2021. These actions included ignoring potential violations of tax legislation and failing to respond in accordance with legal procedures, as well as committing official forgery.

Specifically, in April 2020, senior tax inspector A. P. and inspector V. S. of the second territorial department of the State Revenue Committee's Tax Inspection Division demanded a bribe of 70,000 AMD from a shop owner in exchange for ignoring a violation discovered during a control purchase in the shop, as well as the fact of an unregistered employee's presence.

Furthermore, A. P. and V. S. falsified the inspection act, stating that all instances of control purchases from the shop had provided cash register receipts and that no violations regarding the use of cash registers had been found.

In addition, an agreement was reached during the same period between A. P., V. S., and the shop owner to overlook future issues and violations in exchange for monthly bribe payments of 20,000 AMD to the tax inspectors.

Ultimately, throughout 2020, A. P. and V. S. collectively demanded and received a total of 170,000 AMD as bribes from the shop director, and also falsified the official document that was the inspection act for exploitative motives. A. P. received bribes of various amounts from other taxpayers in a similar manner during 2020-2021.

After receiving a bribe of 40,000 AMD from another businessman, senior tax inspector A. P. was apprehended and taken into custody by the Armenian police. The investigation has established instances where A. P. received over 1 million AMD in bribes from more than 7 businesses for ignoring potential violations and failing to respond appropriately.

A. P. has been charged under Article 311, Part 3, Clause 3 (3 episodes), Article 311, Part 3, Clause 2, Article 314, Part 1, Article 311, Part 2 (2 episodes), and Article 311, Part 1 (2 episodes) of the Armenian Criminal Code. V. S. has been charged under Article 311, Part 3, Clause 2 and Article 314, Part 1.

Both defendants have been placed in pre-trial detention. The investigation into the criminal case has been completed, and the case has been sent to the prosecutor with a recommendation for approval and forwarding to the court.