Corruption exposure in Armenia continues – including among high-ranking officials

Armenian officials continue to uncover corruption schemes. On 5 February, the head of the Urban Construction Committee Vahagn Vermishyan was arrested.

At this point, he is the most high-profile of all exposed racketeers in the country’s fight against corruption, PM Pashinyan said while commenting on the arrest.

Vermishyan is suspected of taking a large bribe in exchange for granting a construction permit. In addition, he is accused of giving a large businessman the title of ‘Honored Builder of Armenia’ for a bribe of $5,000.

Several employees of the Bavra checkpoint on the border with Georgia were also detained. They facilitated the import of goods without customs clearance. The fact that the attempt to smuggle a large batch of illicit goods was prevented was announced at a government meeting on February 6 by the Prime Minister himself:

“I am surprised at the logic of these people.  One has the impression that they do not watch TV, do not follow social networks and news. If it seems to someone that we are saying one thing in front of the video cameras, while we are doing something else in the offices, then they are very mistaken. We will uproot corruption. Everyone who doubts this, I think, will experience the most bitter fruits of these doubts.”