As part of a complex and large-scale criminal proceedings conducted by RA Anti-Corruption Committee, as a result of pre-developed urgent, secret investigative actions and implemented operational investigative activities, a case of receiving a bribe in a particularly large amount of USD 150,000 by a judge RA Court for Bankruptcy Cases, was disclosed.
In particular, in the course of the preliminary investigation it was found that the judge of the bankruptcy court of the Republic of Armenia, recognized a company as bankrupt by his decision on a bankruptcy case, after which a process was organized to sell the company's property at a public auction. The winning company of the auction held in March 2022 did not make the necessary payments within the specified period, and therefore the shareholders of the company, in order to restore the missed period, pay the amount defined by the auction and register the property in the name of the company, turned to their close person, who, with the purpose to resolve the mentioned issue, met with the bankruptcy manager of the case of the same company recognized a bankrupt.
On November 10, 2023, the latter met with the judge in one of the cafes in Yerevan and offered to act in favor of the shareholders of the company that won the auction and the person representing them, in exchange for a bribe, creating the opportunity for the company to restore the missed deadline and make payments, and then to register the right of ownership towards the property. The judge required USD 20,000 for the said actions on the initial stage.
On November 13, 2023, a meeting was held between the bankruptcy manager, the company's shareholders and their representative, at which the bankruptcy manager stated that in order to make a decision in their favor, it is necessary to give the judge a bribe in the amount of USD 150,000. The latter agreed to pay the particularly large amount of the bribe in installments.
On December 12, 2023, the person representing the company's shareholders met with the bankruptcy manager and gave the latter USD 20,000 from the bribe amount, which the bankruptcy manager personally handed over to the judge on the same day.
On December 14, 2023, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia appealed to the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Armenia with a request to initiate a public criminal prosecution against the judge, to give consent to deprive the judge of his liberty. On the same day, after the Supreme Judicial Council satisfied the motion, the judge was charged under Article 435, Part 3, Clauses 2 and 3 of RA Criminal Code, and the bankruptcy manager was charged for assisting him under Article 46-435, Part 3, Clauses 2 and 3 The shareholders of the company and their representative were charged with giving a bribe in particularly large amounts under Article 436, Part 3, Clause 2 of RA Criminal Code.
Arrest was selected as a measure of restriction against the judge and the bankruptcy manager.
The preliminary investigation of criminal proceedings has been completed. On 30.01.2024, the prosecutor approved the indictment, and on the same day, the materials of the proceedings were sent to the court for consideration on 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.
