19 Million Dram Bribe: Commander of the Defense Ministry's Supply Base Arrested

Large-scale operational-investigative measures conducted by the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia have led to the discovery of factual evidence regarding V. M., the commander of the Defense Ministry's N military unit, who allegedly demanded an illegal bribe of 19 million 500 thousand AMD from V. Y., the director of "Masisi Spring Tailoring Factory" LLC, through two accomplices. Part of this bribe has reportedly been received.

According to the Anti-Corruption Committee, on March 24, 2023, during a procurement process for supplying underwear to the Defense Ministry, the "Masisi Spring Tailoring Factory" LLC was recognized as a selected participant. Subsequently, V. M. demanded a particularly large bribe of 12 million AMD from V. Y., the director of the aforementioned company, through the base's supply officer, V. M., in exchange for ensuring the unobstructed supply of items that did not conform to technical specifications, specifically pieces weighing 250 grams instead of the required 280 grams, for a total quantity of approximately 70,000 units.

Additionally, investigations have found that during 2022, the aforementioned official of the Ministry of Defense had also demanded a large bribe from the director of the same company. It was revealed that during this period, the "Masisi Spring Tailoring Factory" LLC again participated in procurement procedures conducted by the Ministry of Defense for military coats and bedding and was recognized as a selected participant. Subsequently, the company’s director, V. Y., reached an agreement with the official V. M. to ensure the unobstructed acceptance of non-compliant products, promising to pay a bribe of 6.5 million AMD for these illegal acts and protection.

As per the agreement, V. Y. transferred the agreed bribe amount in installments to the official of the Ministry of Defense with the assistance of employee R. V. and through the supply officer V. M. Before April 2023, V. Y. personally ensured that the payments were made.

Moreover, in 2023, the "Masisi Spring Tailoring Factory" LLC was also recognized as a selected participant in a procurement procedure for women's shoes for the Ministry of Defense. Consequently, to facilitate the unhindered acceptance of 900 pairs of shoes that did not conform to technical specifications—specifically shoes with a foot size of 68 mm instead of the required 73 mm—V. M. demanded and received a bribe of 1 million AMD through R. V. and V. M.

On July 13, 2023, following joint operations by the Anti-Corruption Committee and the Military Police of the Ministry of Defense, V. M., the commander of the military unit, and the other individuals mentioned were arrested and presented to the Anti-Corruption Committee. On the same day, they were charged with receiving, giving, and assisting in giving and receiving particularly large bribes.

The investigator from the Anti-Corruption Committee has submitted motions to the court to select custody as a preventive measure for V. M., the supply officer V. M., and the director of "Masisi Spring Tailoring Factory," all of which have been satisfied. The investigation continues.