Preliminary investigations carried out under a number of criminal proceedings initiated by the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia revealed cases of transfer of prohibited items to convicted and arrested persons by penitentiary employees.
In particular, in the course of the preliminary investigation, sufficient evidence was obtained that an employee of the security department of Armavir penitentiary institution of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia A.S. entered into an agreement with a convict of the same penitentiary institution to transfer prohibited items - mobile phones and other devices - to the latter against a bribe in the amount of AMD 465,000. Based on the agreement, A.S. was to receive a bribe in the amount of AMD 20,000 - 40,000 for transferring each mobile phone to the premises of the institution and handing it over to the convicted person.
In order to realize his criminal intention, A.S. met with the relatives of the convict, who, within the period from July to November 2022, gave him a total of AMD 465,000 as a bribe both in cash and non-cash form, in exchange for which the said official transferred the prohibited items to the penitentiary institution and handed them over to the convict.
In the course of another criminal proceeding carried out by the Anti-Corruption Committee, it was established that the security officer of Armavir penitentiary institution, Kh. M., also entered into an agreement with an arrested person held in the same institution to transfer him mobile phones in exchange for a bribe. Having received the bribe, on February 11, 2024, Kh. M. took mobile phones with him to Armavir penitentiary institution, however, it was not possible to hand them over to the arrested person, since as a result of an inspection carried out by the relevant employees of the penitentiary institution, the mobile phones were discovered and taken.
In the course of the next criminal proceeding, carried out by the Anti-Corruption Committee, it was established that the nurse of “Vanadzor” department of the SNCO “Center for Penitentiary Medicine” of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia entered into an agreement with a convict of the penitentiary institution to transfer prohibited items - mobile phones and chargers - to the territory of the penitentiary institution against a bribe in the amount of AMD 100,000. However, the conspiracy was not completed, since upon arrival at work the nurse was subjected to a personal search by employees of Vanadzor penitentiary institution, where the above-mentioned prohibited items were discovered and confiscated from her.
Two officials of Armavir penitentiary and a nurse of the SNCO “Center for Penitentiary Medicine” were charged with bribery, and two convicted and one arrested were charged with giving bribes.
The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceedings has been completed, the materials of the proceedings have been sent to the court with an indictment 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.
