In the framework of the criminal case investigated in General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee on illegal tree felling committed in a number of sections of “Haghartsin Area” branch of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO charge was pressed against the foresters of sections 5 and 6, as well.

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.

In the result of investigatory actions of great volume conducted within the criminal case initiated in the RA IC General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases sufficient data were obtained on the allegation that the illegal tree felling had been caused by improper implementation of duties by several foresters

Particularly, foresters of a number of sections of “Haghartsin Area” branch of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO did not take measures 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 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 data of the criminal case in 2017 in the section N 5 of “Haghartsin Area” branch of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO attached to forester A. Soghomonyan totally 491 trees of different types and diameters were cut down causing the state a damage of 64.006.250 AMD to the state and in the section N 6 attached to forester S. Beglaryan totally 1649 trees of different types and diameters were cut down causing the state a damage of 270.879.750 AMD.

On the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against A. Soghomonyan and S. Barseghyan according to the Part 1 of the Article 314 and the Part 2 of the Article 315 of RA Criminal Code.

As of today, within the mentioned criminal case charge was pressed against 12 people, in total.

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.