Coffee Machine Scandal: Large-Scale Bribery in Center District Administration

The Specialized Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia has initiated a criminal case based on the operations of its investigative department, uncovering that the head of one of the departments within the administrative staff of Yerevan's Center District, A.A., along with his deputy and a colleague, H.S., agreed to receive a large sum of bribe in exchange for facilitating actions benefiting the bribery provider.

According to the Anti-Corruption Committee's report, the investigation has established that these officials demanded a total of $2,700 from A.Sh. to organize the process of granting permits for outdoor trade in various locations within the Center District without obstacles. This included permissions for placing coffee machines in preferred areas for business operations.

As per the agreement, A.Sh. transferred the bribe amount of $2,700 to H.S. on July 28, 2024, which the implicated officials subsequently divided among themselves at their workplace the next day.

Three officials from the Center District have been charged under the second part of Article 435, points 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia for receiving large-scale bribes. A.Sh. has also been charged under Article 436, part 1 for providing the bribe. All defendants have had pre-trial detention measures imposed on them.

The preliminary investigation has concluded, with the prosecutor approving the indictment, and the case materials have been sent to court for substantive consideration.

Notice: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia by a court decision that has taken legal effect.