Armenia initiates criminal case against ex-police chief's wife

The Armenian Prosecutor-General's Office has launched criminal prosecution against Susanna Gasparyan, the wife of former police chief Vladimir Gasparyan.

According to the ministry, since July 24, 2008, Gasparyan has held the post of head of the analytical group in the military police, which is part of the department for combating unauthorized abandonment of the unit and evasion from service, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Armenian media.

For more than 11 years (from 2000 to 2011), Gasparyan did not go to work or fulfil her duties, but during this time, she received a total of about 17.3 million drams (about $44,000 – ed.) as salary and other payments.

In addition, from 2011-2018, she served as a senior assistant to the administration of the Chief of Police, but also did not go to work, and voluntarily left the country.

Despite this, she received the rank of lieutenant colonel, later – colonel, as well as payments in the amount of 19.4 million drams (about $50,000 – ed.).

Knowing that his wife does not go to work, Gasparyan did not take any steps to change the situation. Thus, the police chief and his wife as part of the group abused their official powers, which led to grave consequences, the investigation believes.

The case was sent to the Anti-Corruption Committee to bring charges and choose a preventive measure.

Earlier, criminal prosecution was initiated against the daughter of former Armenian Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, who awarded her the rank of lieutenant colonel under the article on embezzlement of state funds.