In the result of investigatory actions of great volume conducted within the criminal case investigated in the Investigative Division of Erebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee data were obtained on apparent extortion in particularly large amount committed by a high-ranking official of RA Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies and operative commissioner of General Department of Fight against Organized Crime of the RA Police.

On October 2, 2018 the application of RF citizen, who is the actual owner of “RVGAS-1» LLC, and his representative addressed to RA Prime Minister was sent to Nairi Division of the RA Police from Prosecution Office of Kotayk province with instruction to prepare materials. The application said that in 2014 with a threat to use violence the owner was forced to waive the company's gas station.

During preparation of materials it was found out that the actual owner of “RVGAS-1» LLC wanted to sell the mentioned gas station to a resident of Tandzut community of Armavir province for 330.000 USD provided that he would pay the amount part by part. Paying 70.000 USD the latter did not fulfill his obligations.

According to the commitment signed the moveable and immoveable property of “RVGAS-1» LLC’s gas station should have been invested in statutory capital of “SLL GAS” LLC created by the buyer. At the same time, 50% shareholder of the company should have been the owner of “RVGAS-1» LLC by the time the above mentioned obligations were fulfilled. However, it was found out that “RVGAS-1» LLC with its moveable and immoveable property was involved in “SLL GAS” LLC in 100% in the result of which the shareholder was deprived of 50% share.

In the meantime the actual owner of the gas station, being informed about the above mentioned from the resident of Tandzut community who wanted to buy it, arrived in the Republic of Armenia, met the department head of the mentioned ministry who stated that he had actually taken away the gas station from the buyer and required to deal with him thereafter.

In a few days the same official and operative commissioner of the police threatening in Azatamartikner park located in Erebuni administrative district of Yerevan demanded to waive the gas station for 30.000 USD. Next day they could carry out their threats transferring 40.000 USD to the citizen.  

On October 15, 2018 a criminal case was initiated in Kotayk Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee according to the Point 2 of the Part 3 of the Article 182 of RA Criminal Code which was sent to the Investigative Division of Erebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee according to territorial subordination.

Through preliminary investigation conducted in the Investigative Division of Erebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee data were obtained on the allegation that in addition to the above mentioned in spring, 2014 the same operative commissioner of the police together with his friend threatening with a pistol forced the resident of Tandzut community to sign appropriate documents on waiving the share of the gas station. The latter, being frightened, carried out their demand and waived the gas station.

As a result, since May, 2014 the gas station has been under the disposal of the mentioned officials which was exploited by them and was a source of income.

Considering that preliminary investigation of criminal cases on crimes committed by heads of RA legislative and executive bodies, as well as related to official position of persons performing state special service, is conducted by investigators of RA Special Investigatory Service, on October 27, 2018 the mentioned criminal case was sent to RA Special Investigatory Service according to subordination.  

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