Medical Workers Created Fake Certificates Proving Vaccination

The investigation and procedural actions carried out by the Gegharkunik Regional Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee have revealed instances where medical workers of the "Sevan Medical Center" LLC produced fake documents certifying foreign citizens' vaccination against the coronavirus (Covid-19) and entered false information into the electronic health information system "ARMED".

According to the obtained factual data, it has been established that two family doctors from the "Sevan Medical Center" LLC, while participating in the vaccination process against the coronavirus pandemic, were aware that foreign citizens could only be vaccinated if they stayed in the Republic of Armenia for 10 days or more. During the period from July to October 2021, they issued medical documents for Iranian citizens who were in Armenia for only one or two days, including blatantly false information and entries that led to those foreigners being vaccinated.

Subsequently, these doctors created and approved fake certificates confirming the vaccination of Iranian citizens against the coronavirus, entering blatantly false information regarding the vaccination dates into the "ARMED" electronic health information system.

Moreover, the immunization nurse at the same medical center, responsible for administering vaccinations against the coronavirus, also issued fake medical documents for Iranian citizens who were not present in Armenia, declaring them eligible for examination and vaccination. Then, under conditions of not being vaccinated, she issued and approved fake certificates confirming these citizens' vaccination status against the coronavirus, entering obviously false information into the "ARMED" system.

It was also revealed that another family doctor at the medical center, at the request of the center's dermatologist, created fake medical documents for a relative of the dermatologist who was absent from the republic. Despite this individual not being vaccinated, the doctor issued and confirmed fake certificates of vaccination against the coronavirus, entering blatantly false information regarding the relative's vaccination status into the "ARMED" system.

Based on sufficient evidence, four medical workers from "Sevan Medical Center" have been charged under part 1 of article 457 of the RA Criminal Code, and one under part 1 of article 46-457 of the same code. A measure of restraint has been chosen for them, prohibiting their departure.

The investigation has been completed, and the materials of the criminal case have been sent to the court with an accusatory conclusion.

Notice: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the manner prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia by a court decision that has entered into legal force.