Official from Shirak Province Administration Accepts 1.7 Million Dram Bribe

An official from the Shirak Province Administration, identified as Kh. Kh., has reportedly accepted a bribe of 1,700,000 Armenian drams from several companies involved in construction and roadwork. This was disclosed by the press service of the RA Anti-Corruption Committee.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Kh. Kh., who is the head of the Urban Development Department of the Shirak Province Administration, received this money in connection with signing completion acts for construction projects that were finalized as part of various subsidized programs in different communities of Shirak Province. He was also involved in increasing the amounts to be paid and in the processes of signing and sealing execution acts.

According to the report, he carried out these actions both personally and through the chief specialist of his department, M. A. Between October and December 2023, Kh. Kh. allegedly requested and accepted bribes ranging from 100,000 to 1,000,000 Armenian drams from representatives of the companies that performed the aforementioned work, including an official from the Akhtala community administration, A. H., who is connected to one of those companies. The total amount of bribes received is reported to be 1,700,000 Armenian drams.

Criminal charges have been brought against Kh. Kh. and M. A. for receiving bribes in several instances. Six representatives from the companies that provided the bribes have also been charged with bribery offenses.

As a measure of restraint during the investigation, Kh. Kh., M. A., and A. H. were initially placed in custody, which was later replaced by house arrest following a court decision. The preliminary investigation has been completed, and the materials of the case have been sent to the court for substantive review.