New Charges Filed Against Serzh Sargsyan for Receiving Large-Scale Bribery

The Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia has established, through extensive evidence collection and procedural actions within an ongoing multi-part criminal case, that a former person holding the office of the President of Armenia, utilizing their official position, facilitated actions favoring a private company’s director. This involved not obstructing the sale of 100% of the company’s shares to a non-resident company in Armenia. In February and April of 2008, with the assistance of the then senior assistant to the Prime Minister, this individual allegedly received a notably large bribe of $2,985,000 from the mentioned businessman.

The criminal proceedings have established that on February 20, 2008, the former high-ranking official, with the aid of several persons, received a cash bribe portion of $2,660,000 from the aforementioned businessman. The remaining sum was received with the assistance of several linked individuals. In particular, the pre-investigation disclosed that part of the bribe was arranged to be handed over by the businessman through an associated person upon the instruction of the mentioned official. Consequently, on April 3 and 21, 2008, transfers of $200,000 and $125,000, respectively, were made to that individual’s bank account, which were labeled as 'charitable donations'. The funds were used to cover expenses related to the renting of balloons during events held in Yerevan following the presidential inauguration.

Charges of receiving especially large-scale bribes have consequently been filed against the individual who held the presidency, according to point 2 of part 4 of Article 311 of the former Criminal Code of Armenia. The pre-investigation phase concerning the separated part of the case has concluded. The materials of the proceedings have been submitted to the supervisory prosecutor with a request for approval and subsequent referral to the court.