Four Arrested in Bribery Case Involving Deputy Commander of Defense Ministry Military Unit

Based on information received from the National Security Service of Armenia, a criminal case initiated by the Anti-Corruption Committee has revealed that K. A., serving as the deputy commander in charge of the technical division of the Defense Ministry's military unit No. N, received a bribe of 605,000 AMD from A. G. in return for taking action on behalf of a person indicated by A. G.

Specifically, factual information has been obtained through the criminal proceedings indicating that in March 2023, A. G., a relative of a conscript soldier in the aforementioned military unit, approached K. A. with the help of two intermediaries to facilitate the appointment of the soldier as a driver within the same unit. Using his official powers, K. A. requested a bribe through one of the intermediaries on March 7, 2023, and subsequently instructed his subordinate, the head of the unit's automotive service, to include the mentioned soldier in the list of candidates for the driver position.

After learning about the required bribe amount, on March 8, 2023, A. G. met with K. A. in the city of Ejmiadzin, delivering a total equivalent of 605,000 AMD, comprising 100,000 Russian Rubles and 90,000 AMD as a bribe. Following this, on March 31, 2023, the soldier was appointed as a driver in the same military unit.

On April 21, 2023, K. A., A. G., and the two intermediaries were arrested. On the same day, K. A. was charged under Article 435, Part 2, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, A. G. under Article 436, Part 2, Clause 2, and the intermediaries under Article 437, Part 2, Clause 2. A motion has been submitted by the investigator of the Anti-Corruption Committee to apply custody as a precautionary measure for K. A., A. G., and one of the intermediaries.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.