Preliminary investigation of the separated part from the criminal case initiated on illegal tree felling was completed in Tumanyan Investigative Division of Lori Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee. In the result of operative-intelligence measures the person wanted within the same criminal case was found and brought to the investigative body.

It was earlier informed that on December 20, 2018 15 stumps of illegally cut trees were found by the forester of the fifth section of Tumanyan forestry. On January 11, 2019 116 more stumps of illegally cut trees were found by the forester of the fifth section of Stepanavan forestry and on the mentioned occasions appropriate records were made.

In the result of comprehensive investigation conducted within the criminal case sufficient evidence were obtained on the allegation that illegal tree felling in particularly large amount had been committed by the residents of Lori province, born in 1986, 1988, 1987 and 1984.

Particularly, it was found out that with the purpose of selling firewood in November-December, 2018 the mentioned residents of Lori using gasoline-powered saw at the areas of different forestries of “Hayantar” SNCO illegally cut down 131 trees, in total, prepared firewood splitting the trees, transported  and sold it causing damage in particularly large amount - 4 920 000 AMD.

On the base of the obtained sufficient evidence charge was pressed against one of them – the man, born in 1988, according to the Part 3 of the Article 38-296 of RA Criminal Code, charge was pressed against the other two – according to the Part 3 of the Article 296 of RA Criminal Code. The part on them was separated as a separate proceeding and the criminal case with the bill of indictment was sent to court. The other resident of Lori, born in 1984, was involved as a defendant according to the Part 3 of the Article 296 and the Part 3 of the Article 38-296 of RA Criminal Code, signature not to leave was chosen as a pretrial measure against him and search was declared. The part on his part was separated as a pretrial proceeding and preliminary investigation was conducted.

In the result of operative-intelligence measures on September 7, 2019 the resident of Lori province, born in 1984, was found and brought to the investigative body.

Preliminary investigation on his part was also completed and the criminal case with the bill of indictment was sent to court.

In order to provide the recovery of the damage caused to the state, by investigator’s decision, a ban was imposed on the property registered in his name, as well as on his bank accounts.

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