Investigation Completed Against Seyran Ohanyan, Artzvik Minasian and Four Others

The preliminary investigation into the criminal case against former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, former Minister of Environment Artzvik Minasian, and four others has concluded in the Chief Department for the Investigation of Crimes Against the State, Constitutional Order, and Public Safety of the RA Investigative Committee.

The Investigative Committee reported that during the investigation, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against S.O. on the grounds of Article 441, Part 2, Points 2, 4, and 5 (abuse of power by a public official) and Article 435, Part 3, Point 3 (receiving a particularly large bribe), Article 296, Part 3, Point 3 (money laundering), and Article 444, Part 2 (providing false information in a declaration).

For A.G., charges have been brought under Article 435, Part 3, Point 3 (receiving a particularly large bribe), for L.B. under Article 436, Part 1 (offering a bribe), for A.M. under Article 441, Part 2, Point 5 (abuse of power), and for B.Q. and E.G. under Article 296, Part 3, Point 3 (aiding in money laundering).

The criminal proceedings against six persons have been separated and sent with an accusatory conclusion to the supervising prosecutor for approval and submission to the court.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, S.O., as a person obliged to submit a declaration, concealed information regarding a 10,526 square meter plot of land and structures located in Gegharkunik Province within the territory of the “Sevan National Park” SNCO while submitting his annual declaration in 2021, which resulted in the non-declaration of particularly large property.

Additionally, relevant officials of the RA Ministry of Environment, particularly former Minister A.M., were informed that the land plot was seized by a high-ranking official holding a state political position, and illegal structures had already been constructed on the land. To conceal these structures and legalize them, they organized a formal competition for the lease of the plot, abusing their official powers.