Back in 2016, the RA Prosecutor General’s Office has reviewed the reports on the results of an internal audit of the RA Ministry of Agriculture regarding the leasing of land from the state forest fund “Hayantar” SNCO as well as documents which have been basis for the above-mentioned action.

 

It has been found out that, in the process of setting the amount of the lease and making appropriate amendments to the contract, there have been violations, and with the aim of taking measures to eliminate them, the RA Prosecutor General has submitted a message to the RA Minister of Agriculture.

 

At the same time, the Department for State Interests Protection has been instructed by the RA Prosecutor General to regularly monitor the work. However, during the study of the data submitted on 03.22.2019 it has become apparent that over the past period, SNCO officials have not taken any legal actions to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the state and SNCO.

 

Consequently, the SNCO has initiated a study of documents regarding the lease process of land of the State Forest Fund for 2006-2018, including the study of the documents regarding the conclusion of a lease agreement, filing a lawsuit, court proceedings and enforcement proceedings.

 

Thus, in the course of the study of lawsuits filed by SNCO, it has been established that SNCO officials for 2006-2018 by abusing their official position, have not fulfilled their obligations to initiate lawsuits, appeal against unjustified judicial acts, as well as to execute judicial acts, during which material damage has been caused to the state in the amount of 131.146.423 AMD, which has entailed serious consequences.

 

Therefore, criminal case under Part 2 of Art. 308 of the RA Criminal Code has been initiated by State Interests Protection Department of the RA Prosecutor General’s Office concerning the above-mentioned case.

 

The preliminary investigation has been entrusted to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

 

At the same time, a report is being prepared concerning the fact of taking the effective measures to eliminate the identified deficiencies and to restore the damage caused in the result of failure to fulfill obligations in the amount of 145 million AMD.

 

Notice: Every person suspected in or charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent unless proved guilty in the manner prescribed by the RA Criminal Procedure Code and unless the verdict comes into legal force.