Charges Filed Against Former Head of Nerkin Khnzoresk, His Son, and Daughter

The investigation into the alleged abuse of official powers, embezzlement of entrusted property, and money laundering of particularly large amounts by the former head of Nerkin Khnzoresk in the Syunik Province has been completed. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.

The investigation conducted by the Goris investigative department of the Syunik regional investigation administration has established that the former head of Nerkin Khnzoresk, having assumed this position in 2005, using his official position, committed official forgery through subordinates, including the deputy head of the community, the chairman of the lottery commission, and its members. He made falsified entries in official records, confirming relevant documents, and transferred stakes of land worth a total of 3,063,250 AMD with a total area of 4.824 hectares to his daughter. She subsequently transferred this property to her brother through a formal sale agreement.

Furthermore, acting as the contracting authority for the "Assistance for the Improvement of the Memorial for Fallen Freedom Fighters" project and managing the organization and implementation of the specified works, the former head signed a completion act with misleading content, which had been prepared at his request, and a list confirming the attendance of 25 employees during the same time period. By circulating these documents, the former head embezzled a substantial amount of 1,132,500 AMD intended for the remuneration of staff, out of the 1,844,600 AMD allocated for the project to improve the memorial.

The investigation also revealed that through non-existent auctions, the former head transferred two plots of land, totaling 32.46 hectares with a total cadastral value of 13,957,800 AMD, to an entity owned by his family, acting on behalf of his cousin’s son for amounts of 4,272,000 AMD and 2,740,800 AMD. By including these plots in the balance sheet of the company owned by him and his family members, he misappropriated the said lands that belonged to the community.

Additionally, based on a forged decision and through a non-existent competition, a total of 15.8654 hectares of community property were leased to persons without the right to do so, including the former head’s son, an employee, and a member of the competition commission, causing substantial harm to the legitimate interests of the community and society.

Based on adequate evidence, the former head of Nerkin Khnzoresk was charged under several articles of the RA Criminal Code, including clauses related to embezzlement and forgery. His daughter and son were also charged under the current criminal code.

The supervising prosecutor has made decisions not to initiate public criminal proceedings against other individuals involved in these alleged crimes. To ensure compensation for the damages caused to the Goris community and the potential confiscation of illegally obtained property, a lien has been placed on agricultural land plots of 19.88 hectares and 12.58 hectares, as well as 4.824 hectares of arable land located in the administrative territory of Nerkin Khnzoresk.

The investigation has been concluded, and the materials of the criminal case, with a prosecutorial conclusion, have been sent to the supervising prosecutor for approval and submission to court.

Notification: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict that has entered into legal force in accordance with the procedural law of the Republic of Armenia.