Armenian ex finance minister to be detained
27.08.2019,
16:39
Employees of the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) have been searching a mansion and other property owned by former Minister of Finance and head of the State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan, the director of the NSS Arthur Vanetsyan told journalists today.
YEREVAN, August 27. /ARKA/. Employees of the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) have been searching a mansion and other property owned by former Minister of Finance and head of the State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan, the director of the NSS Arthur Vanetsyan told journalists today.
He said the employees have been searching also the property of people who are closely affiliated with Khachatryan. He said Khachatryan will be taken to the National Security Service after the search is completed. He said also the charges against former top official will be leveled by the Investigative Committee.
According to Vanetsyan, the search is part of a criminal case launched into embezzlement on an especially large scale and abuse of official power when Khachatryan served as minister and head of the State Revenue Committee.
Vanetsyan stressed that all the information about the progress of the search is currently a secret. He refrained from disclosing details. “When the time comes, everything will be published,” he added.
Asked by journalists why the NSS had not done this earlier despite numerous press publications, Vanetsyan said his agency had been gathering information and evidence to have legal ground for action. “If we had no evidence, the search would not have been carried out,” he emphasized. According to Vanetsyan, NSS employees have been searching also the home of Karen Khachatryan, a former employee of the State Revenue Committee.
"Karen Khachatryan, like all other people who are being searched, will also be taken to the NSS by the end of the day," he said.
Gagik Khachatryan served as Minister of Finance in 2014-2016, when State Revenue Committee was part of the ministry.-0-
He said the employees have been searching also the property of people who are closely affiliated with Khachatryan. He said Khachatryan will be taken to the National Security Service after the search is completed. He said also the charges against former top official will be leveled by the Investigative Committee.
According to Vanetsyan, the search is part of a criminal case launched into embezzlement on an especially large scale and abuse of official power when Khachatryan served as minister and head of the State Revenue Committee.
Vanetsyan stressed that all the information about the progress of the search is currently a secret. He refrained from disclosing details. “When the time comes, everything will be published,” he added.
Asked by journalists why the NSS had not done this earlier despite numerous press publications, Vanetsyan said his agency had been gathering information and evidence to have legal ground for action. “If we had no evidence, the search would not have been carried out,” he emphasized. According to Vanetsyan, NSS employees have been searching also the home of Karen Khachatryan, a former employee of the State Revenue Committee.
"Karen Khachatryan, like all other people who are being searched, will also be taken to the NSS by the end of the day," he said.
Gagik Khachatryan served as Minister of Finance in 2014-2016, when State Revenue Committee was part of the ministry.-0-
