David Galstyan Proposes to Return the Funds for Delivered Missiles to the Ministry of Defense: New Details in the "Poor Quality Missiles" Case

The interrogation of witnesses in one of the most sensational criminal cases of recent times, known as the "Poor Quality Missiles" case, is nearing completion. The former Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan, the former Chief of the General Staff Artak Davtyan, the businessman David Galstyan, known by the nickname "Patron Davo" who supplied weapons, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff Stepan Galstyan, and three others are under investigation. According to Galstyan's lawyer, Armen Andrikyan, the validity of the evidence brought forward by the defense is being confirmed by witnesses.

It should be noted that according to the preliminary investigation body, the 4232 missiles supplied by Galstyan in 2018 are outdated and of poor quality, and they could not be used, which hindered the resolution of combat tasks. However, the defense insists that not only were they usable, but they were also utilized during wars and exercises.

"If the preliminary investigation body claims they are of poor quality, at the very least there should be an examination or experimental assignment to substantiate such a statement. There was a decision to conduct an examination at the beginning of the investigation, but that was later left uncompleted, and when we questioned how the charges could be substantiated without an examination, we were told this question does not need an answer. Later, they found some expert who wrote what the preliminary investigation body needed, and that became the basis for the charges," noted Andrikyan.

The defense claims they have proposed returning the funds to the Ministry of Defense in exchange for the return of the missiles to Galstyan; however, the ministry did not agree, stating, "We have no issues with the product." "There is not a single witness who will testify that the product was outdated or unfit for use," the lawyer emphasizes.

Recall that from 2018 until the end of the 44-day war, Tonoyan, who led the defense ministry, and David Galstyan (Patron Davo), the director of the company supplying ammunition to the army, are accused of embezzling around 4.7 million dollars, committing fraud, and public danger acts.

According to the prosecution, in 2018, more than 4,200 outdated missiles that did not meet technical requirements were purchased for the army, which could not be utilized during the conflict. The state suffered millions of dollars in damages as a result of this transaction. According to the preliminary investigation body, the supplied missiles were examined in 1999 and a 20-year shelf life was designated. More details can be found on the original source site.