Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

Bribes and other tributes in Armenia are modestly called “gifts” and this dirty money is shown in the Declarations of income exactly like that.

Interestingly, “gift” does not cause any questions from appropriate authorities. In the meantime, the poor Armenian population can only read and be envious of such gifts - ordinary citizens sometimes cannot find enough money for bread, and no one gives them millions as “gift”.

Local news agency Hetq.am was able to get the Declarations of income of the Armenian governors and heads of the communes, where over 50,000 people live (Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and others). According to the law “On public service”, heads of other communes do not present the Declaration of income.

The agency revealed that only one of the ten governors of Armenia, Head of Lori region Arthur Nalbandyan declared the gifts received during his tenure. Nalbandian holds this position since 2011. Prior to that, he was mayor of the city of Alaverdi.

In sum, in the 2011 Declaration of assets and income he showed that he received gifts of 50 million drams ($105,000) and $80,000. In subsequent years, the Governor, in addition to the salary, received interest on credits which reached 5.5 million drams ($11,600).

The declarations of other heads of the communes do not include such “gifts”, however, this does not mean they did not receive them. For example, son of the Ararat region’s Governor Rubik Abrahamyan received a gift of 10 million drams ($21,000) in 2014 along with no other income for that year. That, of course, cannot but cause questions.

Abrahamyan’s other son, received a gift of $11,000 in 2014. Let us recall that Rubik Abrahamyan holds the office since 2014.

Also, Vardan Davtyan, Deputy Governor of Syunik, got a gift of €9,750 within just a year after his appointment to the position. Moreover, Vice-Governor of Shirak Seyran Petrosyan received an apartment worth 11.5 million drams ($24,200) in the fifth year of his tenure.

“Gifts” were also received by Deputy Governor of Lori Hovhannes Tadevosyan, who took office since late April. In his Declaration, the Vice-Governor and member of the party Dashnaktsutiun noted that after January 1 he received extra €1,500 as gift.

The wife of the Yerevan’s Mayor, Gohar Sargsyan obtained natural products in the amount of 39 million drams ($82,100) in 2012. However, she did not specify what kind of “gift” that was. Let us note that the wealth of the Mayor’s spouse, who does work anywheer, makes up 50 million drams ($105,300).

So, that’s how luxuriously the Armenian elite live. They just found a pretty word “gift” to conceal all that corrupted money they receive. And "natural products" of 40 million are especially impressive. While ordinary Armenian population purchase even basic goods on credit, the officials are swimming in the money.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz