Pashinyan on detention of MES head: We publicly pledged to show zero  tolerance for corruption, and it is very important to adhere to this  approach

ArmInfo.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on March 31 at a government meeting touched upon the checks carried out as part of a criminal case initiated by the Anti- Corruption Committee and the detention of the head of the Ministry of  Emergency Situations.

He recalls that two or three days ago, law enforcement agencies  conducted a search at the Ministry of Emergency Situations as part of  a criminal case being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Committee.  "At the moment, there are detainees in this case, including the  Minister of Emergency Situations Andranik Piloyan. I say this with  regret; this is a very sad fact. Of course, we have no right to  disrespect anyone's presumption of innocence in any way. But I also  would to note, express my attitude that we have publicly committed  ourselves to show zero tolerance for corruption, and it is very  important to consistently maintain this approach," he said, adding  that final conclusions can be drawn only after the court's decision.

The Prime Minister stressed that the situation is not pleasant, but  much more important than the obligation to society, the rule of law,  the equality of all before the law. "I am convinced that the  investigation will be carried out objectively, in accordance of the  law. All those responsible will be punished according to the law if  their guilt is established or proven," the prime minister said.

Pashinyan said that according to his information, the criminal case  is connected with the processes taking place in the Ministry of  Emergency Situations over the past year.

Yesterday,  Minister of Emergency Situations of Armenia Andranik  Piloyan was detained. According to the press service of the  Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia, he was charged under the  article of the Criminal Code "Receiving a bribe on a large scale", a  petition for his arrest was submitted to the court.  Another 8  persons, including officials of the Ministry of Emergency Situations,  were charged under the articles of the Criminal Code "Complicity in  taking a bribe", "Mediation in bribery", "Fraud", "Complicity in  abuse of official powers" and "Attempt to abuse official powers". It  is noted that in this criminal case, 8 more people are accused, more  than 10 people are suspects. As a result of the preliminary  investigation of the criminal case, data were obtained that officials  of the Ministry of Emergency Situations received bribes in large and  especially large amounts, facilitated this, committed theft on a  large scale, and also received and gave illegal rewards in large and  especially large amounts, etc.

Arrest was chosen as a precautionary measure against the five  accused. As for another 10 employees of the ministry, the signature  on not leaving was chosen as a suspicious precautionary measure. The  preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Piloyan has been the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations  since July 7, 2020. He was awarded the highest title "National Hero".