As a result of the actions carried out by the operational-investigative department of the Anti-Corruption Committee of RA under the initiated criminal proceedings, factual data was obtained that the head of the department of social work and employment programs of Artashat territorial center of the United Social Service of RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues T.K. and the head one of the appointment departments of the same service, H.S., using their powers or the influence caused by them in favor of a briber, entering into prior agreement with the senior social worker L.M., regularly received bribes of various sizes from lots of beneficiaries.
In particular, according to the information obtained during the preliminary investigation, the employee of the department of social work and employment programs of Artashat territorial center L.M., by prior agreement with T.K. and through the mediation of a close-by E.Kh., on October 29 2023, received a bribe from a resident of Ararat marz Mrganush village in the amount of AMD 30,000 for the smooth organization of the process of extending the validity of state benefits.
In addition, again entering into prior agreement with T.K. and through the mediation of E.Kh., in September 2023, L.M. received a bribe in the amount of AMD 35,000 in order to take actions in favor of another resident of Mrganush village, namely, to include him/her to the list of socially disadvantaged families and organize the process of providing state benefits smoothly and without obstacles.
It was also found that T.K. and L.M. received bribes in the amount of AMD 50,000 and AMD 35,000 from two more beneficiaries of Ararat region in October and November, 2023.
The preliminary investigation also revealed information about the receipt of a bribe from a beneficiary by another official, the head of one of the departments of the United Social Service H.S., by prior agreement with L.M. In particular, for solving the issue of including a resident of Ararat marz in the list of age labor pension recipients, on October 31, 2023, L.M. demanded and received from her husband a bribe in the amount of AMD 300,000, of which AMD 200,000 were transferred to the head of the department H.S.
T.K., A.S. and L.M., who received bribes from beneficiaries, 5 persons who gave the bribe to the latters, as well as E.Kh., who provided mediation, were detained.
They are charged with receiving, giving and intermediary of bribes. Based on the court decision, administrative control and suspension of powers were selected as combined measures of restriction towards the heads of two departments of the United Social Service T.K. and A.S., and undertaking not to leave, suspension of powers and a bail - towards the senior social employee L.M.
The criminal investigation is underway. Operative investigation measures are taken, as well as investigative and other operational actions are carried out in order to identify the entire circle of persons who have committed the alleged crime.
