Significant corruption and misconduct have been uncovered in the Anti-Corruption Committee of the RA Human Rights Defenders Office. The investigation, conducted as part of an ongoing examination into corruption and abuse of power in the mining sector, has revealed evidence of criminal and administrative wrongdoing in the “Sevan National Park” CJSC in 2017.

Additionally, a contractual agreement was signed between the Human Rights Defender’s Office (HRO) and “Shrj” Ltd. on May 2, 2016. This agreement, worth AMD 6,020,000, was intended to provide services related to procurement monitoring, including archaeological studies, the construction of a nursery, and the installation of birdhouses. However, it was found that the agreement was not fully implemented as specified. Instead of fulfilling the agreed-upon terms, a smaller nursery was established, and a significant amount of money was unaccounted for.

It is important to note that the “P” Ltd. also failed to fulfill its obligations outlined in the contract for the provision of technical maintenance services. The deputy head of the HRO, along with the heads of “P” and “Shrj” companies, created fraudulent situations by submitting falsified documents and transferring funds to the head of “P” Ltd.

The investigation conducted by the General Prosecutor’s Office revealed the involvement of the head of the HRO, the technical officer of “P” Ltd., and the person responsible for the financing of “P” and “Shrj” companies in the illicit appropriation of funds. Although the cases were referred to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, the Armenian court disqualified the case due to the expiration of the statutory time limit. However, the investigation into the involvement of the remaining four individuals has been completed, and the materials have been sent to court for prosecution.