Armenia's former police chief accused of money laundering

Vardan Minasyan, the former head of Armenia's Main Department of State Security Police, is accused of embezzling state funds and money laundering in especially large amounts.

According to the case materials, in 2015, Vardan Minasyan instructed the head of Armavir State Security Department H.A. to embezzle state funds and transfer $1,000 to him every month, said the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The Office also reports that he earned about 821,128 roubles ($8,240) and 39 million drams ($93,160) while holding different positions from 1992 to 2018. However, during the same period, he acquired immovable and movable property, made deposits, and made transfers that significantly exceeded his legitimate income.

According to the case materials, he illegally embezzled 1.4 billion drams ($3.5 million).