The preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings examined in the RA Anti-Corruption Committee established that a resident of the Meghri community of Syunik marz, with the assistance of the commander of the N military unit of the RA Ministry of Defense and another serviceman of the same unit, illegally imported from the Islamic Republic of Iran more than 74 million AMD worth of taxable cigarettes, a total of 2,619,580 cigarettes of various brands, without excise stamps and without stamping.

In particular, the investigation revealed that the resident of Meghri, in order to carry out his criminal intent, approached the aforementioned MOD officials, who, using their official and service powers and the influence derived from them to the detriment of state and service interests, instructed the servicemen of the combat outpost under their command not to create obstacles during the illegal transfer of the cigarettes from the IRI. In addition, to ensure unimpeded access to the territory controlled by the combat outpost and to facilitate the smooth transport of the non-stamped cigarettes from the IRI to the town of Agarak, they provided a KAMAZ truck belonging to the military unit. As a result, the servicemen of the combat outpost loaded the non-stamped cigarettes illegally brought into the territory of the RA onto the truck of the military unit and proceeded toward the Agarak settlement of the Meghri community, where on May 31, 2025, they were detected and detained by employees of the RA NSS. For abusing official powers and assisting in the non-payment of taxes in especially large amounts, charges were brought against the commander of the military unit and the serviceman of the same subdivision under point 2 of part 2 of article 549 and points 1 and 2 of part 3 of article 46-290 of the RA Criminal Code. Charges were also brought against the resident of Meghri and five MOD servicemen.

Arrest was applied as the measure of restriction against the commander of the military unit, and house arrest was applied against the other MOD official. The preliminary investigation regarding the eight accused has been completed, and the case materials of the criminal proceedings have been sent to the RA Anti-Corruption Court with an indictment.

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.