The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceedings initiated in the RA Anti-Corruption Committee based on a report received from the Military Police of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has established that the person holding the position of head of the relevant service in two different military units of the Ministry of Defense, using his official authority, committed theft of thermal imaging equipment worth approximately AMD 160 million during 2024.

In particular, the preliminary investigation revealed that the aforementioned Defense Ministry official committed theft of 37 thermal imaging devices of various models on an especially large scale, with a total value of approximately AMD 160 million, which were actually transferred to his possession and stored in military unit warehouses. He then sold each one to a Yerevan resident at a price approximately ten times lower than their actual value - between AMD 50,000 and 450,000.

Furthermore, it was established that the said official prepared official documents containing false information regarding the alleged transfer of thermal imaging devices.

The Defense Ministry official has been charged with theft of entrusted property of a particularly large amount, as well as forgery under Article 256, Part 3, Clause 3 (two episodes) and Article 445, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Arrest has been selected as a measure of restriction against him. The purchaser of the thermal imaging devices has also been charged with the acquisition and sale of criminally obtained property under Article 295, Part 3, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

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

Given that the aforementioned thermal imaging devices were stolen from the Ministry of Defense, we urge citizens who purchased thermal imaging devices under suspicious circumstances, or who have any information regarding the case, to contact the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia in order to find and return them to the Ministry.
 

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.