Psychiatrist Received Bribe for Military Service Exemption

During the investigation of a criminal case initiated by the Special Investigative Service of the Republic of Armenia, evidence has emerged regarding a psychiatrist from the Sevan Mental Health Center who allegedly demanded and received approximately 1.05 million AMD and 5,100 USD in bribes from several residents between April and June 2024.

Specifically, the psychiatrist H.H. requested and received bribes to facilitate the military service exemption process for sons of several community residents with mental health issues. This was done under the pretext of providing the necessary medical documentation to demonstrate the presence of an illness, as stipulated by legislation, to obtain a military service exemption diagnosis.

During the criminal investigation, it was also revealed that H.H. demanded and received bribes from citizens to remove them from the registry of the Sevan Mental Health Center and to provide the necessary certificates confirming their good health. Additionally, H.H. issued documents stating that citizens were not registered at the Sevan Mental Health Center while they were outside Armenia, granted disability status, and illegally included false information about visits in outpatient records.

H.H. has been subjected to public criminal prosecution under Article 435, Part 2, Point 2 of the Criminal Code (receiving a large amount of bribe) (2 episodes), Article 435, Part 1 (receiving a bribe) (2 episodes), Article 272, Part 1 (receiving a bribe in the private sector) (3 episodes), and Article 272, Part 2, Point 3 (receiving a bribe in the private sector for the benefit of the briber or a person indicated by the briber for leniency, sponsorship, or other illegal actions or inaction).

As a measure of restraint, a ban on leaving the country has been imposed, along with bail and suspension from office. The criminal case has been sent to the supervising prosecutor with a request for approval and further examination by the court.