In the result of necessary investigatory actions conducted in the framework of the criminal case investigated in Abovyan Investigative Division of Kotayk Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee a number of bribe cases while providing social assistance were revealed.

On February 16, 2018 a report was submitted by a resident informing that being a social assistance recipient since 2013 she has received a benefit – 18.000 AMD monthly in January, February, March each year. According to the citizen each year she gave a month’s benefit money to the relevant official at her request to remain in the program of social assistance.

A criminal case was initiated according to the Part 1 of the Article 311 and the Part 1 of the Article 312 of RA Criminal Code preliminary investigation of which is conducted in the RA IC Abovyan Investigative Division of Kotayk Regional Investigative Department.

In the result of investigatory and other procedural actions of great volume a number of circumstances of the case were found out, the person having committed the alleged crime was identified, actual data were obtained on other criminal manifestations by the same person.

Particularly, through preliminary investigation it was found that the person having committed the alleged crime, being an employee of Abovyan’s Territorial Agency of Social Assistance of the staff of Kotayk’s provincial administration, from 2009 to 2018 demanded and received a month’s benefit money of a number of residents to involve them in the list of beneficiaries, to provide them with benefits, urgent assistance in different periods and cases.

On the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against the employee of Abovyan’s Territorial Agency of Social Assistance of the staff of Kotayk’s provincial administration according to the Part 1 of the Article 214 of RA Criminal Code (5 counts), charge was pressed against 5 more people for attempt to give bribe.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing, measures are taken to reveal other possible counts of bribery, to provide the objective, complete and comprehensive investigation of the case. Professional inspection was commissioned to find out whether it was envisaged for those citizens to receive social assistance as prescribed by law.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.