Ex-governor of Armenia's Syunik region accused of money laundering

The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia has launched criminal proceedings against the former governor of Syunik Suren Khachatryan (Liska) based on facts indicating money laundering and supplemented his charges in the 2021 case.

According to the materials of the case, from 2004 to 2013, and then from 2014 to 2016, as governor and contrary to the ban on entrepreneurial activity, Khachatryan participated in the management of the "Ler-Ex" company engaged in the mining industry. As a result, he "laundered" 16.8 billion drams ($42 million) obtained by criminal means, Sputnik Armenia reports.

During this time, Khachatryan "spent" money through various schemes - transferred 10 billion drams ($25 million) to the company's offshore accounts, 16 million drams ($40 thousand) - for the purchase of motorcycles and water quad bikes, purchased two cars for 22 million drams ($55 thousand), transferred 2.5 billion drams ($6.3 million) to deposit accounts, purchased cars for 92 million drams ($230 thousand), bought real estate for $1.6 million in the Russian Federation, invested 146 million drams ($365 thousand) in a company registered on third party, re-purchased cars for 54 million drams ($135 thousand), invested 10 billion drams ($25 million) in the authorized capital of the company, made investments for 75 million drams ($188 thousand), and again invested 950 million drams into deposit accounts ( $2.3 million).

It should be noted that Suren Khachatryan was charged in 2019, he was put on the wanted list. The ex-official is accused of abuse of power, abuse of official position, incitement to large embezzlement and official forgery, resulting in significant damage to the state.

In August 2022, it was reported that the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia wants to confiscate about 19.1 billion drams (more than $47 million) from Khachatryan and those associated with him.