The inspection of the financial and socio-economic activities of the Vayots Dzor regional administration, carried out by the Inspectorate for the Protection of the Rights of the State, has revealed numerous violations. These violations pertain to the conduct of economic and social development activities of the administration from March 2016 to March 2020. The inspection found that the head of the Vayots Dzor regional administration, as a public servant involved in these activities, was responsible for these violations, as stipulated by the law on the organization of civil service adopted on January 23, 2012.

According to official documents presented during the inspection, it has been discovered that the head of the administration has personally managed the activities of an individual, controlled financial accounts, and performed functions directly related to the Inspectorate’s activities. All documents pertaining to these activities were prepared and signed at his request and with his knowledge. Furthermore, it was noted that this individual had also participated in the management of a CJSC, which was established by their spouse in 2008 and engaged in similar activities as the Inspectorate.

It has come to light that both the Inspectorate and the CJSC utilized their legal authority in order to establish unfair competition and create unfavorable conditions for their competitors. This involved imposing different types of burdens on their competitors’ activities, providing benefits, privileges, and organizing events. As a result of these actions, CJSC received a total of AMD 102,243,710 and the Inspectorate received AMD 48,671,710. These funds were acquired through the purchase of various products at prices higher than the market rate, including carpets, rugs, wheat, barley, and corn.

Additionally, during the period from December 2017 to February 2020, the head of the Vayots Dzor regional administration sold various products at privileged prices to their immediate family members, totalling AMD 3,431,950 according to the presented documents.

Based on these findings, a notification has been sent to the Armenian criminal code regarding the violation of current legislation. This includes the abuse of position by the responsible official or employee, non-compliance with prescribed duties, breach of prescribed rights, and violation of the law on the participation of public officials in economic activities by the responsible official overseeing the Inspectorate’s activities.