Theft Under the Guise of 44-Day War Participants Discovered by Investigative Committee

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has revealed significant thefts occurring under the pretext of participation in the 44-day war. Within the framework of a criminal case being examined in the main department of military investigations, it was found that a former contract serviceman, identified as A.A., had engaged in collusion to fraudulently misappropriate property.

A.A. worked with the vice president of the NGO 'Martyrs of the Oath' V.S., who, in turn, had made prior agreements with K.G., the president of 'Martyrs of the Oath' and head of the Abovyan territorial division of the 'Union of Veterans of the War.' They also involved V.S., the head of the Sevan territorial division of the same organization. After the tripartite declaration signed on November 9, 2020, they visited temporary deployment sites of the Artsakh Republic's defense army that had fallen under enemy control.

Representing themselves as employees of the military control service, they presented false information regarding 30 individuals who were purportedly members of the 'Union of Veterans of the War' but had no involvement in military actions. They also fabricated records concerning the participation days of 8 people connected to these actions.

Based on this false information, appropriate reports were created by the personnel departments, which led to substantial amounts of money being disbursed by the military financial services to these 38 individuals. After the cash was withdrawn, it was subsequently embezzled by members of the criminal group.

The investigative authority has detained three individuals suspected of the large-scale theft committed in collusion. Charges have been filed against a total of five individuals, two of whom have been placed under arrest. The investigation is ongoing.

Notice: The suspect or accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, by a court decision that has entered into legal force.