According to the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings examined by the RA Anti-Corruption Committee, a case of embezzlement of a total of 4.8 million AMD from state funds by the director of “Verin Ptghni Secondary School” SNCO was revealed.

In particular, it was found out that occupying the position of the director of the said school from July 29, 2013 to May 13, 2020, with the intention of embezzling state funds in a wasteful way, in different months of 2016 A. H. appointed his cousin and the relative of the school accountant M. S. to the positions of school guard and cleaner, respectively. The latter, however, never attended the work and did not perform their work duties. Regardless of that circumstance, during the years 2016-2020, a total of AMD 4,791,680 salary and other payments equivalent to it were calculated and paid to the mentioned persons, which was embezzled with the assistance of the accountant M. S. by the director A. H., using his official position.

Besides, according to the preliminary investigation it was also found out that with the personal motives of concealing the circumstances of not showing absence of the mentioned persons ordered to the positions of cleaner and guard from the work, as well as to conceal embezzlement from state funds in a wasteful manner, the director A. H. together with accountant M.S. committed official forgeries, in particular, they approved the salary calculation lists of school employees every month with their signatures, which included obviously false information that the mentioned persons had attended work, and monthly salaries were calculated in their names.

For embezzling a total of AMD 4,791,680 from state funds and committing official fraud A. H. was charged under points 1 and 3 of part 2 of article 179 (two counts) and part 1 of article 314 of the former Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, and M. S. was charged under points 1 and 3 of part 2 of article 38-179 (two counts) and part 1 of article 314 of the former Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

All damage caused to the state has been recovered during the preliminary investigation.

The preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding has been completed. The materials of the proceedings with the indictment were handed over to the supervising prosecutor with a request to approve it and send it to the court.

Notification. the person accused of a crime is considered innocent until his guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code by a verdict entered into legal force.