Former Minister of Emergency Situations Charged: Investigation Concludes

The investigation carried out by the RA Anti-Corruption Committee has concluded, revealing significant evidence of large-scale bribery involving officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations during the years 2021-2022. Former Emergency Situations Minister Andranik Piloyan and several ministry employees, including heads of various departments, have been implicated in the case.

It has been established during the investigation that Minister Piloyan, with the assistance of his advisor A. H., received a bribe of 1,000,000 AMD in 2022 to facilitate illegal actions benefiting a private company working with the ministry. This company's director sought necessary permits to build a residential complex adjacent to the ministry, and Piloyan intervened in favor of this request while creating obstacles for other businesses offering similar services.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that without following legal procedures, Piloyan verbally instructed V. M., the head of one of the ministry's divisions, to dismantle property from the state's reserves valued at over 18 million AMD, which was then unlawfully transferred to private premises by V. M. to be sold.

Evidence was also collected showing that V. M. informed the minister in January 2022 about a proposal to appoint his acquaintance A. O. as the commander of one of the emergency response units in exchange for a bribe, which was accepted by Minister Piloyan. After A. O.'s appointment, V. M. assisted in facilitating a bribe in the form of a gold ingot given to Piloyan.

Additionally, H. E., another division head, used his official position to facilitate the hiring of an individual in the ministry in exchange for a large bribe of 960,000 AMD for the minister. The investigation also uncovered that V. G., who had a close relationship with the minister, demanded and received illegal payments ranging from 1,700 to 2,500 USD from several individuals in exchange for actions performed on their behalf within the ministry.

Charges have been filed against Andranik Piloyan under the RA Criminal Code, including articles on bribery and abuse of power. As a precautionary measure, he has been placed in custody. Charges have also been brought against 12 other individuals, including various officials from the ministry.

The investigation into these suspects has concluded, and the case materials have been sent to the supervising prosecutor with a request for confirmation and forwarding to the court.

Note: A suspect or accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code, as determined by a legally effective court judgment.