Saturday, May 26 2018 14:53

ArmInfo. The National Security Service of Armenia in the fight against corruption and economic crimes revealed a criminal scheme. The large company Norfolk  Consulting Ltd. maliciously avoided paying taxes, fees and other  mandatory payments in especially large amounts. This is stated on the  official website of the National Security Service.

In particular, according to the source, the Service found out that  the representatives of the company Norfolk Consulting LLC often did  not declare and did not conduct properly through customs the goods  imported into the republic, thereby underestimating the funds due to  the state budget. In addition, the company created unequal  competitive conditions for citizens who imported the same goods.

As a result of the preliminary analysis, it was calculated that from  August 1, 2017 to May 1, 2018, Norfolk Consulting through cash  transport companies received cash of $ 37.6 million, of which $ 26.4  million were imported to Armenia through the customs registration of  goods and $ 11.2 million due to services rendered by business  entities. As a result of unclear reflection of the above amounts in  tax documents, the company did not pay about $ 7 million to the state  budget, which is equal to 3.3 billion drams. On the fact in the  investigation department of the National Security Service a criminal  case was opened. The general director of the company Norfolk  Consulting LLC Armen Unanian and three other responsible employees of  the company were arrested on suspicion of committing a crime under  the article 205 of the 2nd Criminal Code.  Two former vice-chairmen  of the State Revenue Committee were invited to be interrogated as  witnesses in a criminal case. The preliminary investigation  continues. Measures are taken to clarify all the circumstances of the  case, as well as to identify other persons and compensate for the  damage.

On May 24, the Director of the National Security Service of Armenia,  Artur Vanetsyan, told journalists that the NSS continues to work to  identify those involved in corruption and illegal enrichment.  According to him, the National Security Service has already subjected  a number of persons to the drive after revealing the corruption  schemes of their illegal enrichment. "The preliminary operational  data confirmed our suspicions, and in the near future the public will  be aware of the results of this work," the head of the National  Security Service said. He pointed out the importance of carrying out  work at a high professional level, so that no one doubted. Arthur  Vanetsyan, however, evaded the question whether the names of high-  ranking officials would be named. "We said that we will start active  operations on May 23. Actions have been started, and in the coming  days there will be publications," he said, adding that he supports  the return to the state budget of the funds appropriated from the  state. The director of the National Security Service stressed that  the work begun will be complex and large-scale.