Minister of Emergency Situations Received Bribe in the Form of Heating System: Anti-Corruption Committee Provides Details

As a result of large-scale operational-investigative measures conducted by the National Security Service of Armenia, factual data has been obtained in the criminal case initiated and currently under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Committee. The investigation has revealed evidence of officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations receiving large and particularly large amounts of bribes, aiding in the bribery, abusing their official positions, committing large-scale fraud, as well as receiving and providing illegal remuneration in large and particularly large amounts, along with other abuses.

During the preliminary investigation of this multi-episode criminal case, numerous instances of the aforementioned alleged crimes were uncovered involving Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan, his advisor, as well as more than ten employees of the Ministry, including heads of various departments.

Specifically, it was established that Minister A. Piloyan, with the assistance of his advisor A.H., received a large-scale bribe in 2022 for actions performed within the scope of his authority on behalf of a private company collaborating with the ministry. Furthermore, during the investigation, firearms and military ammunition were discovered and seized from A.H.'s residence.

It was also revealed that H.E., the head of one of the Ministry's subdivisions, used his official position to mediate the receipt of a large bribe in the form of a heating system by Minister A. Piloyan for the employment of a relevant individual in the ministry.

Additionally, factual data was obtained indicating that V.M., another head of a division within the Ministry of Emergency Situations, informed Minister A. Piloyan in January 2022 of his acquaintance A.O.'s intention to give a bribe to be appointed as the commander of one of the emergency service units, which the Minister accepted. After A.O. was appointed to the respective position, V.M. facilitated the receipt of a large bribe from A.Piloyan.

The investigation also found that V.G., having a close relationship with the Minister of Emergency Situations of Armenia, was involved in carrying out actions for various individuals, receiving and demanding illegal remuneration ranging from 2000 to 2500 USD from each of these individuals for employment within different divisions of the ministry.

Moreover, according to the materials of the criminal case, the heads of two subdivisions of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, V.M. and M.M., colluded in October 2021 to defraud and organize the award process for several ministry employees, after which, utilizing their official positions, they received and embezzled the funds awarded to these individuals.

It was also established that M.M. coordinated the technical specifications for a tender to be held in 2022 for the needs of the Ministry of Emergency Situations with a prospective participant, attempting to ensure that only this particular company could participate and win the tender.

Minister A. Piloyan faces charges under part 3, point 3 of Article 311 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. Following the investigator's decision, he was arrested on March 30, 2022. On the same day, a motion was filed with the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Court to choose arrest as a measure of constraint against him. Eight other individuals, including various officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, have been charged under parts of Articles 38-311, 3112, 313, 178, 38-308, and 34-308 of the Criminal Code.

Among the accused, measure of constraint chosen for A.H., H.E., M.M., V.M., and A.O. is arrest. Ten other employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations have a procedural status of suspect. For them, a measure of constraint has been chosen in the form of a signature not to leave.

The investigation continues. Necessary investigative and other procedural large-scale actions are being carried out, as well as operational-investigative measures aimed at revealing the full scope of the crimes and the individuals who committed them.