The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceeding initiated on the basis of operative-investigative activities carried out by the RA Anti-Corruption Committee established that an official of Artashat Registration and Examination Department of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, using his official powers to commit illegal actions in favor of a number of persons, received bribes from them in various amounts. In particular, it was established that an official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in order to organize the process of taking the formal practical exam for a number of persons, giving them positive grades and adding category “B” driving licenses in one case, and “BE” and “CE” in two other cases, through three persons assisting him, demanded and received from them bribes in the amount of AMD 180,000, 250,000 and 350,000 respectively, within the period from January to April 2025.

As a result, the above-mentioned official took formal exams from them and assigned positive grades, issuing the latter with driving licenses of the corresponding categories. The preliminary investigation carried out within the framework of the same criminal proceeding also revealed a case of receiving a large bribe by the chief tax inspector of the relevant department of the Complex Tax Inspection Department of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

In particular, it was established that the latter, being the head of the inspection team, conducted a comprehensive tax audit together with two other chief tax inspectors of the same department from September 19, 2024 to February 12, 2025 in a company belonging to one of the persons who assisted the above-mentioned official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in receiving a bribe. During the audit, the tax inspector demanded a large bribe of AMD 4,000,000 from the business entity for not conducting audits in the said company over the next 3 years, on the condition that the latter fulfills the tax obligations identified during the comprehensive tax audit and previously unfulfilled, in the amount of about AMD 6,000,000.

As agreed, on February 17, 2025, the chief inspector of the State Revenue Committee personally received the bribe in the amount of USD 10,000, equivalent to AMD 3,963,900. Charges have been brought against 11 persons, including the official of Artashat Registration and Examination Department of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs and the chief tax inspector of the State Revenue Committee, for the facts of receiving, giving, aiding in receiving and giving a bribe. Arrest has been applied as a measure of prevention against three of the accused.

The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceeding has been completed, the materials of the criminal proceeding together with the indictment have been sent to the RA Anti-Corruption 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.