The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceeding investigated in the RA Anti-Corruption Committee established that the person holding the position of senior eco-patrol officer of Ijevan and Artsvaberd sections of Tavush marz Department of the Eco-Patrol Service of the RA Ministry of Environment failed to perform his official duties, as a result of which significant damage was caused to the legitimate interests of the state.

In particular, it was established that the person holding the position of senior eco-patrol officer, having been notified of the fact of illegal logging in the territory of Artsvaberd forestry enterprise of Hayantar SNCO, failed to perform his official duties: he did not take measures to prevent illegal logging and did not report on the obvious crime. Moreover, he called on the person cutting down the trees to “blacken” the trunks of the cut trees in order to hide the fact of illegal logging, as a result of which the obvious fact of the crime – illegal logging – was hidden.

In addition, the senior eco-patrol officer received a bribe from two persons for illegal inaction, specifically, for not preventing them from illegally cutting down trees in the territory of the Artsvaberd forestry enterprise and not taking appropriate measures to prevent it.

The eco-patrol officer was charged under Part 1 of Article 441 and Part 2, Clause 3 of Article 435 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (3 episodes), and the two individuals who bribed him were charged under Article 436, Part 2, Clauses 1 and 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (3 episodes). Arrest was applied as a measure of restriction against the eco-patrol officer, and home arrest was selected against the other two defendants.

The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceeding has been completed, and the materials of the proceeding have been sent to the Anti-Corruption Court of the Republic of Armenia 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.