Assistant to Judge Arrested in Aragatsotn Province

Officers from the Criminal Police of the Aragatsotn Regional Directorate acted upon operational information regarding a corruption crime in collaboration with their counterparts from the Main Directorate of the Criminal Police.

As a result of extensive operational-investigative measures, data was obtained indicating that an assistant to one of the judges of the first instance general jurisdiction court in the Aragatsotn province had informed two applicants in a civil case in March this year that a bribe of 450,000 drams was required to pass a ruling in their favor. However, the assistant negotiated and reduced the amount to 350,000 drams.

The case concerned the recognition of ownership rights to two agricultural plots. The applicants rejected the assistant's offer, and their claim was dismissed by a ruling made on April 1.

On April 10, however, near the courthouse, the judge's assistant received the demanded 350,000 drams from the applicants and began preparing a new petition in their name to submit to the court, promising to secure a favorable judicial act for them.

A report regarding the described crime has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Committee, which has initiated a criminal proceeding. Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against the judge's assistant and the applicants, who have been arrested and presented to the Anti-Corruption Committee. The circumstances are being clarified.