The preliminary investigation into the criminal case of abuse of office by the former Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has been completed

ArmInfo.  The Investigative Committee of Armenia has completed the preliminary investigation of the criminal case on abuse of office by former RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan during the apartment distribution process.

As reported by the press service of the Investigative Committee, during the preliminary investigation of the criminal case, it was established that S.O., while holding the position of Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, with the assistance of members of the Central Housing Commission of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, exceeded his official powers, causing significant damage to the rights and legitimate interests of a number of individuals.  In particular, on July 12, 2008, the head of the Internal Security Department of the Ministry of Defense, M.I., sent a report to the head of the Ministry of Defense staff with a request to provide his family with an apartment, as a result of which he was included in the housing registration process for military personnel in need of better housing conditions.  In addition, on July 17, M.I. also sent a report to the RA Minister of Defense S.O., in which, in addition to a request for an apartment, he noted his desire to urgently obtain an apartment in Yerevan. On the same day, S.O., violating the procedure established by the RA Government's decision of March 7, 2007, "On Providing Housing to Servicemen of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia," according to which the housing registration of servicemen in need of improved housing conditions and the provision of apartments to servicemen are exclusively within the competence of the commission, and does not have the authority to interfere in these processes, in order to satisfy the request of M.I., who is on friendly terms with him, instructed the commission to provide the latter with an apartment as an exception.

During the commission meeting held on August 11, 2008, the chairman of the commission and members of the commission included M.I. The Ministry of Defense added S.O. to the housing registry of military personnel in need of improved housing conditions, and immediately at the same meeting, a decision was made by vote to provide him with a three-room apartment in Yerevan.

Thus, individuals in genuine need of improved housing conditions at the Ministry of Defense, who had been on the housing lists for years, were deprived of their legal and statutory right to acquire housing with the right to free use in accordance with the procedure established by legislation ensuring their social protection. As a result, significant harm was caused to the rights and legitimate interests of these individuals.

By decision of the supervising prosecutor, a criminal case was opened against S.O. under Part 1 of Article 441 of the Criminal Code (abuse of office or authority, or the resulting influence of an official, or abuse of authority). The criminal proceedings were sent to the supervising prosecutor with an indictment and a motion to refer it to court for approval and consideration.