Search Underway at Vahan Kerobyan's Office

The newspaper "Hraparak" reports: "We wrote a moment ago that Vahan Kerobyan, who was dismissed from the position of Minister of Economy yesterday, has been summoned by the NSS today, and charges may soon be brought against him in connection with the recent criminal proceedings initiated regarding the activities of the Ministry of Economy. Moments ago, we learned that law enforcement officials are also at the ministry, searching Kerobyan's office.

It is worth recalling that two weeks ago, the Investigative Committee announced high-profile discoveries within the Ministry of Economy, and criminal prosecution was initiated on the same day against Ani Isplryan, who was dismissed from the position of Deputy Minister of Economy, and four other officials. The Investigative Committee has opened two proceedings.

According to the Investigative Committee, an official of the Ministry of Economy, having close relationships with one of the beneficiaries of the state support program for the establishment of intensive orchards and knowing the contacts of other beneficiaries, did not reject the financial compensation granted to them, despite knowing that their documents did not comply with the requirements established by the program. As a result, the ministry unjustifiably compensated several beneficiaries through this program for a total of about 238 million drams, which the beneficiaries fraudulently embezzled.

Ani Isplryan is currently under house arrest. In another proceeding, it has been established that officials of the RA Ministry of Economy created supposed insurmountable conditions for one company to ensure the victory of another in a procurement competition, effectively removing it from the competition. As a result, a company that presented a price offer almost three times higher than its competitor was declared the winner of the competition. Six individuals have been arrested in connection with this criminal case. Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against seven individuals, including four officials.

Minister Vahan Kerobyan expressed his dissatisfaction at the last government meeting, stating that there could be no talk of corruption, that according to one of the proceedings, the ministry has not suffered losses and has not provided funds to any of the companies participating in the tender, and with the other one, it still needs to be proven that there was intent, therefore he does not intend to resign."