In the framework of the criminal case on illegal tree felling committed in a number of sections of «Haghartsin Area» of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO investigated in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee charge was pressed against three more foresters of sections.

It was earlier informed that from 2014 to 2017 illegal tree felling had been committed in the sections of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO cutting down more than 6000 trees which caused damage of particularly large amount to the state. A criminal case was initiated preliminary investigation of which is conducted in the RA IC General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases.

Pursuant to actual data obtained through investigation the tree felling had been of organized nature; the steady criminal group was created in 2014 to carry out tree felling for selling wood. The people involved in creation and control of the group, as well as in tree felling were identified who were involved as a defendant within the criminal case in October- November, 2017.

In the result of investigatory actions of great volume sufficient evidence were obtained on the allegation that illegal tree felling had been caused by improper implementation of duties by several foresters; the amount of damage inflicted to the nature was not calculated, 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.

Particularly, the foresters of sections 1, 4, 13 of «Haghartsin Area» of «Dilijan National Park» SNCO S. Zargaryan, G. Poghosyan and V. Dilanyan, being materially responsible, being bound to prevent all the offences at the area of the section attached to them, from 2014 to 2017 without checking the section area signed the 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.

Pursuant to criminal case data during S. Zargaryan’s tenure totally 560 trees of different types and diameters were cut in section 3 in the result of which damage of 122.761.250 AMD was inflicted to the state. 349 trees of different types and diameters were cut in G. Poghosyan’s section which caused damage of 91.064.000 AMD to the state. 256 trees of different types and diameters were cut in V. Dilanyan’s section which caused damage of 36.450.000 AMD to the state.

The role of each of the foresters of the mentioned three sections in illegal tree felling was found out.

On the base of the obtained evidence on March 18 charge was pressed against forester of section 4 G. Poghosyan according to the Part 2 of the Article 315 of RA Criminal Code and a motion was submitted to court to choose detention as a pretrial measure against him.

On March 19 charge was pressed against forester of section 3 S. Zargaryan according to the Part 2 of the Article 308, the Part 1 of the Article 314 and the Part 2 of the Article 315 of RA Criminal Code. A motion was submitted to court to choose detention as a pretrial measure against him which was rejected.

On March 20 charge was pressed against forester of section 13 V. Dilanyan according to the Part 2 of the Article 308, the Part 1 of the Article 314 and the Part 2 of the Article 315 of RA Criminal Code and signature not to leave was chosen as a pretrial measure against him.

As of today, in the framework of the mentioned criminal case charge was pressed against 5 people. Besides, a decision was made to involve V. Vasilyan as a defendant who from November 16, 2016 to May 17, 2017 held the post of deputy director – division head on protection of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO. Detention was chosen as a pretrial measure against him and search was declared.  

Preliminary investigation is ongoing, necessary investigatory and other procedural actions are conducted to provide the complete, objective and comprehensive investigation of the case on illegal tree felling

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