Tax Officials Not Involved in Mobile Phone Smuggling, Spokesperson Says

The State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia has addressed the information circulating on the internet regarding mobile phone smuggling. Luise Mkrtchyan, the spokesperson for the Committee, specifically mentioned in a Facebook post: "The claims regarding the involvement of tax officials in mobile phone smuggling are unfounded. There is no such situation in the Committee, nor can there be. We emphasize that no instances of mobile phone smuggling have been registered in recent weeks."

The spokesperson added that, to verify the circulating information, the Internal Security Department of the Committee will initiate an internal inquiry, including reviewing video recordings, gathering evidence, and taking further steps as legally prescribed based on the situation. "The dissemination of such baseless information raises serious doubts regarding the motives of the concerned parties. It is possible that the ongoing and effective fight against mobile phone smuggling by the Committee has provoked dissatisfaction among certain groups, prompting attempts to tarnish the institution's good reputation," Mkrtchyan wrote.

It should be noted that earlier, information was circulating online claiming that "400 iPhone mobile phones have been imported into Armenia through smuggling routes."