As a result of large-scale evidentiary and other procedural actions carried out under the criminal proceedings investigated by the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia, numerous cases of bribery by officials of “Hayantar” SNCO of the Forestry Committee of the RA Ministry of Environment in exchange for illegal logging in Lori region of the Republic of Armenia have been revealed.
In particular, the preliminary investigation established that the director of one of the forestries of “Hayantar” SNCO, within the period from June 10 to September 29, 2024, entered into an agreement with 5 foresters of the same forestry to receive bribes in exchange for using their official powers and the influence caused by them to provide patronage services in favor of a number of persons and for committing other illegal actions.
After entering into an agreement, the director and foresters of the said forestry received a total of about AMD 1.5 million as bribes from numerous persons, in exchange for which the said persons were allowed to freely carry out illegal logging on the territory of the forestry, including logging in excess of the volumes specified in the logging coupons.
The director of the forestry and 5 foresters were charged with receiving bribes under Article 435, Part 2, Clauses 1 and 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (a total of 23 episodes), and the persons who bribed them were charged under Article 436, Part 2, Clause 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.
Arrest and home arrest were applied as a measure of restriction against the six accused officials. The preliminary investigation under their criminal proceedings has been completed. The materials of the proceedings together with the indictment have been sent to the supervising prosecutor with a motion to approve it and send it 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.
