Revealed Instances of Money Laundering in Stepanavan: Criminal Proceedings Initiated

On September 13, 2021, the Lory Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 308 of the RA Criminal Code. Investigative findings indicated that former mayor of Stepanavan, S.G., abused his official powers between 2004 and 2012, unlawfully alienating land plots from the municipality’s common-use green areas, state forest lands, and urban lands.

These plots were transferred unlawfully to various individuals, including his cousin's son and a company established by the charity foundation "Revival," in which he was a participant.

Further investigation revealed that former mayor S.G. attempted to conceal the criminal origins of assets by formally registering real estate properties in the names of individuals mentioned above. Specifically, in 2014 and 2017, he transferred a total of 1.433 hectares of land to his sons, with whom he cohabits.

Considering the findings indicating the existence of features of a criminal act related to legalizing income obtained through criminal activities (money laundering), a criminal case was initiated by the deputy prosecutor of Lory region under point 2 of Part 2 of Article 190 of the RA Criminal Code. The materials of the criminal case were forwarded to the Lory Regional Investigative Department for further investigation.