The results of the criminal investigation into corruption cases in the activities of the RA Prosecutor’s Office’s internal committee in 2023 have been summarized. It has been observed that the number of similar cases being investigated by the RA Prosecutor’s Office has significantly increased. In the previous year, the RA Prosecutor’s Office investigated 1326 criminal cases related to corruption activities, which is 8% more than in 2022. The volume of cases sent to court in 2023 has increased, primarily through office derivations. Out of the 1326 cases, 133 have been completed with guilty verdicts and sent to court, involving 354 individuals. In comparison, in 2022, 76 cases were sent to court, involving 122 individuals with convictions. This indicates a 75% increase in cases sent to court in 2023 and a 190% increase in convictions.

Out of the total cases handled, 176 were related to white-collar crimes and 38 were related to non-white-collar crimes. There were 80 cases concluded with administrative proceedings, 194 involved alternative measures, 106 were merged, and 599 were transferred to 2024 for further investigation. The cases presented by the RA Prosecutor’s Office in 2023 primarily involve corruption activities related to public officials or individuals with public authority, misuse of public funds, crimes against employees in educational and public institutions, violation of social security rights, sexual harassment, discrimination, environmental crimes, and more.

The RA Prosecutor’s Office has taken special measures to combat systemic corruption activities, particularly those related to organized crime. Large-scale investigations have been carried out domestically and internationally, including combating money laundering and corrupt practices in social security and corruption cases related to public procurement, licenses and permits, political contributions, and electoral fraud. In 2023, the total budgetary damage caused by corruption activities amounted to more than AMD 8 billion, with AMD 4.32 billion caused by the state and communities. Approximately AMD 1 billion has been recovered as a result of the reported cases. Efforts have been made to address corruption cases through criminal prosecutions, preventive measures, asset recovery, and restitution.

Source: News from Armenia – NEWS.am