The preliminary investigation initiated in the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia and carried out under criminal proceedings investigated in RA Anti-Corruption Committee revealed 50 cases of embezzlement and receipt of bribes of various sizes from citizens by two officials of the passport group of Marash branch of Passports and Visas Department of the Migration and Citizenship Service of RA MIA. Moreover, in a number of cases, citizens offered and gave bribes on their own initiative as a “gratitude” for the passport services provided.
Evidences obtained in the course of the criminal proceedings justified that A.S., holding the position of a first category specialist of the civil special service of the above-mentioned passport group, in twelve cases personally, and in thirty-five cases - by prior agreement with the leading specialist-manager of the same passport group L.H., violated the prohibition defined by law and, using their official powers for the benefit of numerous citizens and the persons indicated by them, demanded and received bribes from the latter for performing passport operations.
In particular, A.S. and L.H., in conditions of restrictions on the provision of identification cards, for giving preference to the above-mentioned persons and issuing the said cards, performing passport operations out of turn or carrying out other operations arising from the functions of the passports and visas department, in addition to the state duty, demanded and received bribes in various amounts from MD 2,000 to AMD 50,000 from citizens.
For example, for issuing a passport of an RA citizen in the name of one of the persons who applied to the passport service, as well as for the registration of the latter at the relevant address, on January 11, 2023, the mentioned officials, in addition to the state duty, demanded and received from him a bribe in the amount of AMD 50,000.
For issuing an identification card of another citizen, in addition to the state duty in the amount of AMD 3,300, they demanded a bribe in the amount of AMD 20,000, in addition to which the said citizen, on his own initiative, gave a bribe in the amount of AMD 5,000 more.
For the criminal acts described above, A.S. was charged under Article 435 Part 2 Point 1 /35 episodes/, Article 435 Part 1 of /12 episodes/ and Article 255 Part 2 Point 2 /3 episodes/ of RA Criminal Code.
L.H. was charged under Article 435 part 2 Point 1 /35 episodes/ and Article 44-435 Part 2 Point 1 /3 episodes/ of RA Criminal Code.
The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceedings is completed. The indictment is confirmed by the prosecutor, and the materials of the proceedings are filed to the court for consideration on the merits.
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.
