The criminal proceedings initiated on the basis of the measures taken by the Operational-Investigative Department of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia revealed that a business entity paid an illegal reward of USD 8,000 for the smooth organization of the issuance of permits for the export of animals by the Food Safety Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia (FSIB). Within the framework of the aforementioned proceedings, cases of group bribery and official forgery by FSIB officials were also revealed.
In particular, during a regular visit to the relevant quarantine point in October 2024, two chief inspectors of the FSIB discovered significant omissions and violations at the business entity that initiated the process of exporting cattle, and received a bribe of AMD 190,000 from him for not recording them. Moreover, one of the said inspectors drew up a fake certificate, based on which the export of a batch of cattle was permitted.
In addition, the preliminary investigation revealed that to avoid possible obstacles in the export process, the business entity turned to an acquaintance who was in close relations with a person holding a managerial position at the FSIB. The latter expressed his willingness to ensure the issuance of export permits by the FSIB in exchange for an illegal reward of USD 8,000. As a result, with the active intervention of the aforementioned person, the business entity managed to export the batch of cattle on October 18, 2024, giving him the requested amount on the same day.
For the above-mentioned criminal acts, 6 persons were charged under the relevant Articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, including the inspectors of the FSIB who received bribes, the business entity that gave them the bribe, and the person who received an illegal USD 8,000 reward. The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceedings against the latter has been completed. The indictment has been approved by the prosecutor, and the materials of the proceedings have been sent to 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.
