Former Vice-Rector of Medical University Accused of Money Laundering, Arrest Warrant Issued

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has initiated criminal proceedings against K.H., the former vice-rector for finance and economic activities of the Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi, based on evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation of crimes against property committed by officials of the University. The accusations include abuse of power, embezzlement of entrusted property, money laundering, and other offenses that took place in 2015-2016.

K.H. is alleged to have organized money laundering, particularly involving the director of the 'Heratsi' trade union, M.S., and R.D., who was actually leading the 'Arev-Shin' LLC, through signing a sham contract. This involved transferring and converting large sums of money of criminal origin to conceal and distort their true nature and illicit origin.

K.H. was fully aware of the presence of funds illegally transferred to the 'Heratsi' trade union's bank accounts from the Yerevan State Medical University in 2015-2016, as membership fees and under other pretenses. Through a criminal mechanism, K.H. aimed to organize and effectuate the laundering of said funds.

With the intention of executing this criminal plan, a fake civil agreement was concluded between the unregistered 'Arev-Shin' LLC and M.S. on July 1, 2016. This was under the guise of providing paid services for the rest and recreation of 224 University employees at the 'Asteris' resort in Sevan, scheduled for two phases from July 19 to 23 and July 22 to 26.

M.S., under K.H.'s organization, continued actions directed towards the execution of the criminal intention. To conceal the of origin and nature of the aforementioned 16,800,000 AMD obtained through illicit means, M.S. transferred this amount in two installments of 8,400,000 AMD each to the bank account of 'Arev-Shin' LLC via bank transfers on July 20 and 25, 2016.

The funds were subsequently cashed by A.A. at the Sevan branch of the bank upon R.D.'s request on July 27, 2016. After receiving the money, R.D. paid 3,360,000 AMD for tax liabilities arising from the transaction, and the remaining 13,440,000 AMD was handed over to K.H. in Sevan.

Despite not organizing any employee recreation at the 'Asteris' resort, on July 29, 2016, a false act of transfer-acceptance regarding the provision of services was signed between the 'Heratsi' trade union and 'Arev-Shin' LLC.

Based on sufficient evidence, legal proceedings against K.H. were initiated under Article 38-190, part 3, clause 1 of the former Criminal Code of Armenia, which corresponds to part 3, clause 3 of Article 46-296 of the current Criminal Code.

During the investigation, it was revealed that K.H. left the Republic of Armenia immediately after being summoned for questioning regarding the aforementioned transactions on April 20, 2023. The investigative body has filed a motion for the detention of K.H. as a preventive measure, which has been granted, and a search warrant has been issued. The investigation is ongoing.