Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

A lawsuit filed by a civil servant against a resident has created a huge resonance in Armenian society.

Chief Compulsory Enforcement Officer of Armenia Mihran Pagosyan sued his compatriot Gevorg Afandyan over delayed repayment of $5.1 million in loan. Pagosyan has also called for receiving the interest rate of the delayed repayment.

The law case created an ado in public, involving a civil servant with a fortune of $5.1 million. Pagosyan has never been engaged in private business and served only in state and government positions. The public is very much surprised by his "ability" to save such a fortune.

Average monthly salary is $365 in the post Soviet country, which is the poorest country in the South Caucasus. The case of the secret millionaire now can shed light on a number of suspicious income sources. He can be blamed for corruption, illegal business or other crimes.

On the other hand, no information is released about the plaintiff. Afandyan's social status, activities and identity are withheld, which opens the door for speculations about his involvement in shadow economy.

Corruption is regarded as the chronic disease in Armenia, as it could paralyze almost every field - tax, customs, health, education, courts and law enforcement.

International reports show that bribery is widely spread in Armenian society and adopted anti-corruption measures has no effect to stop the growing corrupt activities. The index of freedom from corruption in Armenia is 26.7 which is under the world average, the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom report stated.

In addition, the Transparency International has ranked Armenia 94th among 177 states in corruption terms.

The recent dismissal of Head of the Anti-Corruption Department under Armenian Police Department leaves no doubt about the crisis in this field. Analysts subsequently link these two events to the surging corruption in Armenia.

Armenia was 41st among 187 countries in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom. Reigning oligarchy in Armenia is a great obstacle for foreign investments. Monopoly in every field of business has discouraged foreign investors to spend their money in Armenia.

Corruption and bribery have spiraled out of control in the Armenian society, creating the ground for more crimes. Lack of legal control and lawlessness are the realities on the ground in the contemporary Armenia which is still poor, hopeless and desperate.