Corruption of 30 million AMD Uncovered at Pedagogical University: Criminal Case Sent to Court Involving 10 Individuals

The ongoing operational and investigative activities conducted by the Armenian Anti-Corruption Committee have revealed significant corruption involving officials at the Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University. These individuals have, through a group effort and with prior agreement, received bribes of particularly large amounts while using their official powers.

Specifically, the person holding the position of vice-rector, with the rector's knowledge, offered bribes to the head of the transportation division and the director of the ‘Aghavnadzor’ training base, which operates under the university. This was in exchange for violating the order established by the foundation and the training base's charter in managing the reception of guests, organizing their rest, and handling funds received from them, which were to be deposited into the foundation's account. The aforementioned officials also demanded and received bribes for overseeing rental fees that were to be deposited into the foundation's account, illegally managing a company created by the foundation, handling funds received from its activities, appointing university employees to other positions concurrently, and committing numerous other criminal acts.

As a result of these actions, the university officials received an overall bribe amounting to approximately 18 million AMD. Additionally, during the pre-investigation, cases of embezzlement of around 12 million AMD were uncovered, which resulted from the rector and vice-rector abusing their official powers. Consequently, funds totaling around 30 million AMD were not deposited into the university's account.

The rector has been charged under Article 441, Part 2, Clause 4 (5 episodes), and Article 435, Part 2, Clauses 1, 2, and 3 (5 episodes), along with Article 435, Part 2, Clause 1 of the RA Criminal Code. The vice-rector faces charges under Article 441, Part 2, Clause 4 (5 episodes), Article 435, Part 2, Clauses 1, 2, and 3 (5 episodes), Article 441, Part 2, Clause 2, Article 435, Part 3, Clause 3, and Article 435, Part 2, Clause 1, along with two episodes under Article 445, Part 2.

Charges have also been laid against eight more university employees for giving and assisting in receiving bribes and committing large-scale embezzlement. The pre-investigation has concluded, and the materials of the case have been sent to the Armenian Anti-Corruption Court with an accusatory conclusion.