VIDEO: Numerous Cases of Bribe Money Received by Officials of the State Revenue Committee Revealed

The National Security Service of Armenia has uncovered numerous cases of bribery involving officials of the State Revenue Committee (SRC).

According to the statement released by the NSS, “As a result of extensive operational and investigative measures carried out by the economic security and anti-corruption departments of the NSS, it has been revealed that officials of the SRC, using their official powers, have taken bribes from various business operators importing goods into the Republic of Armenia, allowing them exemption from customs obligations or facilitating illegal actions in their favor.”

“In some instances, this was done personally, while in other cases, it occurred in collaboration with other SRC officials or with the assistance of different individuals. Between November 2022 and January 11, 2023, the mentioned persons demanded and received bribes in various amounts, including large sums, in Armenian drams or foreign currency, for concealing actual volumes, weights, and countries of origin of the imported goods and for failing to record these violations and undertake necessary measures for customs clearance.”

Furthermore, it was established that a senior official of the SRC’s anti-smuggling administration, utilizing his powers, also received bribe money for allowing the described abuses, without taking necessary measures to address them, in exchange for facilitating the unobstructed clearance of goods.

More than thirty searches related to the cases have been conducted, where data related to the commission of crimes, as well as illegal firearms, were discovered and seized. Criminal proceedings have been initiated for these firearms, which have been incorporated into the main criminal case.

Based on evidence of the crimes committed, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against 15 individuals according to the appropriate articles of the Criminal Code of Armenia, with pretrial detention chosen as a measure for 12 of them. The investigation continues, with necessary investigative measures and operational activities being undertaken to clarify all circumstances of the case, identify all officials and other individuals involved in the criminal scheme, and apply legal measures against them.