Only 700 Citizens in Gyumri Received Vaccination Certificates Without Being Vaccinated: NSS Details

The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, through collaboration with the Shirak regional office and the investigative department, has uncovered significant evidence following large-scale operational and investigative measures. It has been revealed that a group of healthcare workers from the 'Gyumri V. Abajyan Family Medicine Center' polyclinic, which operates under the Shirak regional administration, misused their official positions for personal gain.

From April 2021 to the present, these medical personnel did not actually vaccinate over 700 citizens, who reside in both Shirak and other regions of Armenia, with the prescribed vaccines. Instead, they created false documents certifying these individuals as fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These forged certificates were then entered into the electronic healthcare system 'ARMED', according to the NSS press center.

As a result of these illegal actions, these citizens were able to bypass the restrictions imposed during the pandemic in Armenia and abroad. This behavior disregarded the mandatory sanitation rules established by Armenian legislation, compromised the health preservation efforts through necessary preventive and anti-epidemic measures, and endangered the rights of others protected by the state against the pandemic, causing substantial harm to both the healthcare organization and the lawful interests of the state.

Moreover, the investigation revealed that the healthcare workers involved in these blatant illegal activities allegedly received bribes ranging between 5,000 to 10,000 AMD from each citizen for their services, with the vaccines reportedly being destroyed.

More than ten searches have been conducted during the investigation, leading to the seizure of funds provided as bribes, as well as lists containing the names of individuals who received counterfeit certificates while not being vaccinated.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained in the criminal case and immediate cause for suspicion, six employees from the medical institution have been arrested, with some providing confessional statements regarding the criminal mechanisms employed and the amounts of bribes received, as well as details about the individuals who obtained fake certificates.

Active procedural and operational measures continue to identify all citizens who obtained false vaccination certificates, pursue criminal charges against them, clarify the complete range of individuals involved in these illegal activities, and hold them accountable for their actions.

The NSS emphasizes the seriousness of these crimes, urging leaders and employees of organizations providing medical services to be vigilant, as national security agencies are utilizing all tools to uncover and prosecute both past and ongoing cases of fraudulent vaccinations.

Citizens are also urged to refrain from engaging in illegal actions to obtain fake vaccination certificates, as such behavior poses a real threat to the health of the population and is punishable under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, leading to severe legal consequences.

Note: The presumed offender accused of a crime is considered innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the procedures established by the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Armenia with a legally binding court judgment.