RA Investigative Committee continues investigation into tax evasion  by Multi Transport company

ArmInfo. The Investigative Committee of Armenia continues its preliminary investigation into a criminal case related to large-scale tax evasion. According to a  statement from the investigative body, the criminal case was opened  for the company's failure to pay taxes in the amount of 1.137 billion  drams.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained during the preliminary  investigation, a criminal case has been opened against the company's  director, A.D., and the company's 100% shareholder and beneficial  owner, A.G., under Articles 1 and 2, Part 3, Article 290 of the  Criminal Code (large-scale tax evasion by a group of persons with  prior consent). A.D. has been remanded in custody as a preventive  measure. House arrest was imposed with bail of 15 million drams and a  restraining order, while A.G. was detained.

Acording to available information, the persons in question are Artur  Dallakyan, director of the company Multi Transport, and Hayk  Galstyan, owner. This company is part of the Multi Group concern,  owned by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous  Armenia Party.

On July 6, law enforcement officers conducted searches of Tsarukyan's  mansion and businesses belonging to his Multi Group concern. After  the investigation was completed, all the premises were sealed, and  the businessman himself was arrested for two months. Tsarukyan is  accused of organizing fraud and money laundering on an especially  large scale. Specifically, according to investigators, between 2022  and 2024, a "criminal group" operating under his leadership created  joint ventures, including the Armenian-Iranian Chamber of Commerce,  with the participation of Iranian citizens, under the pretext of  developing trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran.  Investigators allege that the fraudulent scheme resulted in damages  to the state in excess of $21 million. In another incident, Tsarukyan  is accused of organizing, along with another citizen, the "fraudulent  theft of $934,000" from an Iranian citizen as part of a fuel supply  deal. Furthermore, another criminal case has been opened for illegal  hunting of wild animals and birds. Investigators allege that the  illegal hunting caused environmental damage in excess of $81,000.   Following his arrest, a case was also opened against him for tax  evasion.