Corruption Arrests Gather Speed

Grigoryan – the influential former general who is currently remanded in custody pending trial for grand theft and illegal possession of firearms.

In a statement adopted at the sitting the union strongly condemned the “impermissible act on the country.”

The board instructed the Vice-Presidents and members to set up a task force to discuss organization of a convention.

The bad news continues for the family. The Special Investigative Service issued an arrest warrant for Nazik Amiryan, his wife.

Earlier on June 18, anti-corruption officers of police discovered two cargo vehicles loaded with military food supplies in a Yerevan parking lot. The drivers of the vehicles, members of the Yerkrapah Volunteer Union – an NGO formerly chaired by the general – have claimed that they loaded the supplies – canned meat made for the military and not available for sale anywhere – at the instruction of Nazik Amiryan from the headquarters of Yerkrapah Volunteers Union on June 16. About 3000 cans were found in the cars.

An investigation is underway.

Grigoryan, the former general who is suspected in misappropriating military supplies and donations, as well as illegal possession of firearms, will remain in pre-trial detention for two months.

The lawmaker from the Republican Party faction is suspected in embezzling military supplies and illegal possession of firearms. Upon searching the compound of Grigoryan, agents found huge amounts of military weapons and ammunition and supplies, including donated food and clothing which were meant to be sent to soldiers in Artsakh back in 2016. The donated supplies even include letters written by schoolchildren during the days of the April War of 2016.

The Prosecutor General requested an extraordinary sitting of the parliament to take place to strip the MP of parliamentary immunity, in order to keep him in pre-trial custody.

The MP has denied any wrongdoing, and in a letter sent to the Speaker said he will restore his reputation, and called on his colleagues to strip him of immunity since “he has no desire to obstruct the investigation”.

A private zoo and a large car collection were also found during the search of the compound.

On June 19, the parliament voted to strip the MP of immunity and approved launching criminal proceedings.

Finally, the Special Investigative Service has launched criminal proceedings over former Mayor of Echmiadzin Karen Grigoryan, the general’s son.

The Special Investigative Service said it has charged Karen Grigoryan on June 23 with grand theft.

In the days of the April War of 2016, Members of the Armenian Community of Russia NGO, had acquired three UAZ SUVs, thermal vision devices and military uniforms and transferred it to Armenia as aid.  Representatives of the organization arrived in Armenia, where accompanied with Karen Grigoryan, they departed for Artsakh to donate the abovementioned items to Artsakh’s defense ministry. The items allegedly had been handed over to Karen Grigoryan, and MP Manvel Grigoryan.

But instead of transferring the vehicles, worth over $22,000, to the Artsakh military, Manvel Grigoryan and his son Karen transported them back to Echmiadzin.

Karen Grigoryan hasn’t been remanded and is free on a bail bond.

The investigation continues.

 Effective Yet Respectful Process

Pashinyan discussed his anti-graft drive on Tuesday, June 26, with the heads of the NSS, the Armenian police and other law-enforcement bodies. He told them to make sure that “this process continues more effectively” while “strictly” complying with laws and respecting human rights. According to Pashinyan’s press office, they briefed the premier on their respective agencies’ “ongoing and upcoming works towards combatting corruption.”

(Reports from the Public Radio of Armenia, Armenpress and RFE/RL were used to compile this