Investigation Against SATM Officials Concludes

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia have provided evidence that two chief inspectors from the Food Safety Inspection Body of Armenia (SATM) in the Vayots Dzor regional center received bribes from various businesses in a coordinated manner and engaged in official forgery. This information was reported by the Anti-Corruption Committee.

The investigation revealed that these officials failed to suspend the sale of meat and did not seize it for its further destruction despite identified violations. They also did not prepare administrative reports to hold the violators accountable, in exchange for which they received fuel and various amounts of money as bribes.

The two officials are charged under the 2nd part of Article 445 and the 1st and 3rd clauses of the 2nd part of Article 435 of the RA Criminal Code (4 episodes) for receiving bribes in a group and committing official forgery. Charges were also presented against four citizens who bribed the officials, although criminal prosecution against them was discontinued during the investigation due to effective regret.

The preliminary investigation against the SATM officials has concluded, and the materials of the case have been forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Court of the Republic of Armenia with an accusatory conclusion.

Notice: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven according to the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia by a court ruling that has entered into legal force.