In the result of necessary actions conducted in the framework of the criminal case investigated in Lori Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee abuses were revealed in the process of providing social assistance in Vanadzor; two people were involved as a suspect.

On April 11, 2018 the criminal case initiated according to the Point 2 of the Part 3 of the Article 311.1 and the Part 2 of the Article 312.1 of RA Criminal Code on demanding and receiving money for providing citizens with social assistance in Vanadzor was received in the proceeding of Lori Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee.

In the result of joint urgent investigatory and operative-searching measures a number of circumstances significant for the case were found, the people having committed the alleged crime were identified; they are chief specialist of Vanadzor territorial division of social assistance and the employee of Aznvadzor post branch of “Haypost” CJSC, the actions of each of them were found out.

Particularly, through preliminary investigation actual data were obtained on the allegation that from 2006 to 2018 the chief specialist of Vanadzor territorial division of social assistance demanded and received money to involve citizens in the list of beneficiaries, to provide them with benefits in different periods. According to initial data, in the process of receiving money the employee of Aznvadzor post branch of “Haypost” CJSC helped the chief specialist.

Through investigation cases of demanding and receiving illegal payment for organizing the provision of benefit of 5 people have already been found out.

On April 11 chief specialist of Vanadzor territorial division of social assistance was arrested, signature not to leave was chosen as a pretrial measure against the employee of “Haypost” CJSC.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing, measures are taken to reveal other possible counts of illegal payment, to provide the objective, complete and comprehensive investigation.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.