Synergy director, involved in case of `abuse of power` at Ministry of  Economy, to be released

ArmInfo.On February 21, 2024, the prosecutor, on his own initiative, changed the preventive measure  against  accused director of Synergy International's Armenian branch, Ashot Hovhanesian, who is undergoing criminal proceedings in the Investigative Committee.

According to the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office,  the decision was made due to the fact that the accused gave evidence  on circumstances of significant importance for criminal proceedings.  A recognizance not to leave was taken from Hovhannisyan.

On January 31, 2024, the Prosecutor's Office began criminal  prosecution against officials of the RA Ministry of Economy in  connection with the officials' abuse of official powers. According to  investigators, as part of the ""Bank of Public Investment Projects,"  tender  officials entered into a conspiracy with the head of one of  the companies, creating artificial obstacles to the participation of  other applicants.  As a result, the company that bid three times more  than the winning price (392 million drams - almost $100 thousand) was  declared the winner.

Later it became known that the company in question was Synergy. The  following were arrested in the case:  Director of Synergy  International's Armenian branch, Ashot Hovhannisyan,; former employee  of the company, daughter- in-law of the Speaker of Parliament Ani  Gevorgyan; another employee of the company  Lily Mkryan, as well as  the heads of the department of public investment policy and  implementation of agricultural programs of the Ministry Lily  Sirakanyan and Taron Martirosyan. Deputy Minister of Economy Ani  Ispiryan, who was dismissed from her post, was sent under house  arrest.

After the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia received a received  a personal guarantee request from MPs of the ruling "Civil Contract"  faction, the prosecutor, on his own initiative, on February 12, 2024  changed the preventive measure against Ani Gevorgyan and Lily Mkryan  - to bail, surety and recognizance not to leave. Economy Minister  Vahan Kerobyan was also dismissed and placed under house arrest.