Directors of a Number of Branches of “Sevan National Park”, Abusing Their Official Powers, Permitted Illegal Fishing of “Sig” in Exchange for a Bribe
The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, as a result of large-scale operational and search measures and investigation activities undertaken within the framework of the implementation of its functions aimed at the fight against corruption, detected a cases of abuse of official powers and receiving a bribe by officials of a number of branches of “Sevan National Park” State Non-Commercial Organization of the Ministry of Environment of RA.
According to obtained preliminary data, the directors and inspectors of “Vardenis”, “Arevik” and “Sevan” branches of “Sevan National Park” SNCO, being ex officio authorized to take measures of control to exclude the illegal fishing, for mercenary purposes permitted to a group of citizens to illegally fish for a large amount of “Sig”, thus causing to the State damage in large amounts. All the seized fish have been provided to “Vardenis Boarding House” and “Sevan Psychiatric Hospital” of Gegharkunik marz.
Besides that, the director of one of the indicated branches, during 2018-2019, being aware of the fact that an RA citizen was illegally taking out and transporting a break-stone from the territory of the branch under his control, received by parts sums in different amounts as a bribe and did not prevent the illegal activities.
On another case, the director of the branch, having come to a preliminary agreement with an official under his authority, in June 2019, in exchange for a bribe-sum, did not draw a protocol of the administrative violation on illegal cutting of timber from the territory under the maintenance of the branch.
In the Investigation Department of the NSS of RA, criminal cases have been initiated on the facts of the apparent crime, according to corresponding articles of the Criminal Code of RA.
The preliminary investigation goes on.
Note: The suspect or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent as long as his guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA - by the court decision entered into legal force.
