Armenian officials escape prosecution by returning illicit wealth

In recent years, a growing number of Armenian officials caught up in corruption scandals have been escaping criminal charges by returning illegally obtained assets.

This practice was established in 2020 through the adoption of the "Law on Confiscation of Property of Illicit Origin," Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Under this legislation, individuals who have unlawfully accumulated wealth can compensate the state for the damage caused, thereby avoiding imprisonment.

The latest case, reported on September 12, involved former Deputy Defence Minister Alik Mirzabekyan. The Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Mirzabekyan had reached a settlement, agreeing to pay approximately $500,000 in compensation after it was discovered that he possessed illegally acquired property, vehicles, and bank deposits.

Last year, several high-profile individuals similarly evaded prosecution, including Vachagan Kazaryan, the former security chief for Armenia’s third president, the daughter of former Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, principal conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra Sergey Smbatyan, and Armen Harutyunyan, former head of Yerevan’s Erebuni district, among others.

The practice of compensation for damages instead of criminal prosecution causes mixed reactions. On the one hand, it allows the state to quickly restore lost resources, on the other hand, it causes serious public discontent. Many believe that it can become a kind of loophole for unscrupulous officials, allowing them to buy off punishment at any moment.