New details related to arrest of Major-General Melsik Chilingaryan and two Colonels revealed

New details have been revealed related to arrest of Major- General Melsik Chilingaryan and Colonels Armen Margaryan and Mher Papyan.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia informs that M. Chilingaryan and A. Margaryan were charged according to the Part 2 of the Article 375 of RA Criminal Code (Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction that inflicted essential damage punished with imprisonment for 3-8 years), M. Papyan was charged according to the Part 3 of the Article 375 of RA Criminal Code (Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction, if these acts were committed for mercenary or group-interest motives, by a commander or official, and if these inflicted essential damage punished with imprisonment for 7 to 13 years). The Committee stresses that preliminary investigation is ongoing; investigation actions of great volume are conducted to provide the comprehensive, objective and complete investigation of the case. 

"Within the conducted investigation it was revealed one of detained high ranking official of the Defense Army that in a number of cases instructed to purchase goods at prices higher the market ones or made unneeded purchases. Thus evidence has been obtained that a deal on purchase of spare parts at 145 mln AMD was conducted with one of suppliers at obviously overestimated prices. One of detainees who was responsible for studying market prices for procurement created favorable conditions for victory of a certain company in the tender. As a result a contract was signed with the company which was headed by his relative for supply of 29 items of goods at overestimated prices", the statement of the Investigative Committee reads.  

To recall, Major-General Mels Chilingaryan and Colonels Armen Margaryan and Mher Papyan were arrested on May 30 late night. The detention was conducted within two separate criminal cases of receiving non-quality goods and of purchases at bloated prices. To note, Head of Armament Unit of Armenia's Armed Forces Melsik Chilingaryan was dismissed on May 23 by the Armenian president's decree.