In the framework of the criminal case investigated in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee investigatory and other procedural actions of great volume are ongoing to find out the frame of those related to apparent illegal tree felling in a number of sections of “Haghartsin Area” branch of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO; charge was pressed against three more foresters.

Pursuant to data of the criminal case from 2014 to 2017 illegal tree felling had been committed in the sections of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO which caused damage of particularly large amount to the state.

Through comprehensive investigation it was found out that in the section 8 of “Haghartsin Area” branch of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO totally 231 trees of different types and diameters were cut down causing damage of 75.946.250 AMD to the state. In the section 9 – totally 70 trees of different types and diameters were cut down causing damage of 9.613.750 AMD to the state. In the section 10 totally 166 trees of different types and diameters were cut down causing damage of 45.229.750 AMD to the state.

Apparent illegal tree felling had been caused by improper implementation of duties by several foresters. Particularly, measures were not taken in time to reveal the cases of illegal felling of different types of trees, to subject the person or people having committed illegal felling to administrative or criminal liability, respectively, as well as to restore the damage in particularly large amount inflicted to the state.

Besides, being materially responsible, being bound to prevent all the offences at the area of the section attached to them, without checking the section area they signed admission-transfer protocols which did not correspond to reality according to which no illegally cut trees not formulated by offence protocols in the section were found.

On the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against the foresters of sections 8, 9, 10 – A. Manusharyan, A. Tamrazyan, M. Petrosyan according to the Part 1 of the Article 314 and the Part 2 of the Article 315 of RA Criminal Code.

Thus, as of August 21, within the mentioned criminal case sufficient data were obtained on 9 thousand trees illegally cut, charge was pressed against 15 people, in total.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing, necessary investigatory and other procedural actions are conducted to provide the complete, objective and comprehensive investigation of circumstances of the case.

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