Former Armenian President Accused of Receiving $3 Million Bribe
YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. The former president of Armenia is accused of receiving a bribe of about $3 million, the Anti-Corruption Committee reported today.
During the investigation of the criminal case conducted by the Anti-Corruption Committee, it was established that the said citizen, having taken advantage of his official position to commit actions in favor of the director of the LLC, namely not to prevent the sale of 100% of the company's shares to a non-resident of Armenia, in February-April 2008, with the assistance of the senior assistant to the Prime Minister of Armenia, received a bribe of $2,985,000 from the above-mentioned businessman.
During the criminal proceedings, it was established that on February 20, 2008, the former President of Armenia, with the assistance of a number of individuals, received part of the bribe in the amount of $2,660,000 in cash from the businessman, and received the rest with the assistance of several individuals associated with him through bank transfers in the amount of $200,000 and $125,000 on April 3 and April 21, 2008, respectively.
The purpose of the transfers was listed as "charity" and the money was used to pay for the presidential inauguration, balloon rental at an event held in Yerevan a few days later, and other expenses.
The Anti-Corruption Committee reported that the former president of Armenia has been charged with accepting a bribe on an especially large scale and that the preliminary investigation into the criminal case against him has been completed. The case materials along with the indictment have been sent to the prosecutor for approval and transfer to court.
About the second president of Armenia
On March 30, 1998, Robert Kocharyan was elected president of the Republic of Armenia in the early presidential elections. On March 5, 2003, he was re-elected and held this post until 2008.
About the third president of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan was elected president of the Republic of Armenia in the presidential elections held on February 19, 2008. He took office on April 9, 2008. In the elections of February 18, 2013, Sargsyan was re-elected as President of the Republic of Armenia. On April 17, 2018, the National Assembly elected him as Prime Minister. On April 23, 2018, Sargsyan submitted his resignation. -0-
