As of August 24, charge was pressed against 17 people 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 “Dilijan National Park” SNCO.

It was earlier informed that numerous cases of apparent illegal tree felling were revealed in several sections of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO. Within the criminal case investigated in the proceeding of the RA IC General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases necessary investigatory and other procedural actions of great volume are conducted to find out the real volume of tree felling, the frame of those having committed the alleged crime.

Pursuant to investigation data illegal tree felling had been committed from 2014 to 2017 in the sections of “Haghartsin”, “Shamakhyan” and “Dilijan Area” branches of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO. Pursuant to initial data totally 9517 trees of different types and diameters were illegally cut. As a result, damage in particularly large amount 1.597.602.520 was caused to the state.

In the result of comprehensive investigation actual data were obtained that apparent illegal tree felling had been caused by negligence and improper implementation of duties by heads of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO, as well as several foresters.

Particularly, they did not take measures in time to reveal the cases of illegal tree felling, to subject the person or people having committed illegal felling to administrative or criminal liability, 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 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.

As of August 24, on the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against 17 people.

Charge was pressed against the former and current heads of «Haghartsin Area» branch of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO, the foresters of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14 of the same branch according to the Part 2 of the Article 308, the Part 1 of the Article 314, the Part 2 of the Article 315 and the Part 2 of the Article 325 of RA Criminal Code.

Charge was pressed against two more residents of Teghut and Haghartsin communities of Tavush region according to the Part 3 of the Article 296 of RA Criminal Code.

Deputy head of “Dilijan National Park” SNCO was involved as a defendant according to the Part 1 of the Article 308 of RA Criminal Code. Detention was chosen as a pretrial measure against him and search was declared.

In order to provide the compensation of the damage caused to the state the defendants’ property was seized.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing. Necessary investigatory actions are conducted to find the whole frame of those possibly related to illegal tree felling and to give appropriate criminal legal assessment to their actions.

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