Forged Money Laundering Evidence in Artsakh: Criminal Case Initiated

On February 21, 2023, A.G. submitted a lawsuit through attorney V.P. to the Artsakh first-instance court, seeking the annulment of a loan agreement signed with V.Q. on May 5, 2011, and demanding the recovery of $1 million. After examining the lawsuit and accompanying documents, the judge reported the alleged crime to the Artsakh Prosecutor General's Office.

The Artsakh Prosecutor General's Office has revealed that during the examination of the report, it was discovered that the copy of the agreement presented by attorney V.P. on behalf of A.G. and V.Q., signed in Stepanakert on May 5, 2011, is forged. The signatures next to the names "Lender" and "Borrower" were not made by A.G. and V.Q.

It was also established that the representatives of the plaintiff and the defendant—attorney V.P. from the Artsakh Bar Association and R.E.—did not sign the authorization document dated January 26, 2023, prepared on behalf of A.G. and V.Q. in Stepanakert, which is a binding document. Later, R.E. submitted a "Settlement Agreement" dated March 15, 2023, stating that the representatives of both parties had agreed to terminate the proceedings of the civil case pending in court, with the condition that the plaintiff would withdraw the demands, while defendant V.Q. would consider his monetary obligation fulfilled in exchange for transferring ownership of a commercial space located at 24/34 V. Sargsyan Street in Stepanakert.

In essence, A.G. intentionally concealed and distorted the source of funds amounting to $1 million through the forged loan agreement dated May 5, 2011, and agreed to receive the aforementioned real estate owned by V.Q. in exchange for the claim for the recovery of the said amount until May 5, 2015. Furthermore, V.Q. intended to convert the aforementioned real estate obtained through criminal means using the forged loan agreement.

A criminal case was initiated on May 17, 2023, under Article 198, Part 3, Clause 1 of the Artsakh Criminal Code (legalization of property obtained through criminal means (money laundering)), Article 375, Part 1 (forgery of evidence), and Article 345, Part 1 (forgery of documents, stamps, seals, forms, vehicle registration numbers, and their use or exploitation). The procedural management of the legality of pre-trial proceedings and prosecutorial oversight is conducted by the Artsakh Prosecutor General's Office's division for corruption, property, economic activities, and crimes against public service.