Today, 27 of December, the Court of General Jurisdiction of Shirak Marz has started to consider the criminal case against A.M. for taking a bribe. A.M. was accused for beforehand demanding and taking a bribe in amount of 150.000 AMD for implementing obviously illegal action in favor of student K. Kh, while being the Head of the Faculty of Pedagogy of Gyumri Institute of Pedagogy after M. Nalbandyan, by abusing his official position.

Ayvazyan, the Senior Prosecutor of the Department for Fight against Corruption and Organized Crime, presented the final part of the indictment, according to which the accused was charged in committing a crime prescribed by Part 2 of Article 311 of the RA Criminal Code, i.e. receipt of a bribe by an official for implementation of obviously illegal actions in favor of the briber.

According to the motion filed by the defender Vagharshak Gevorgyan, the Court applied the procedure for speedy trial. Pursuant to the rules of the RA criminal procedure in his speech the prosecutor considered the accusation to be proven based both on the self-confession and the testimonies of witnesses. He made a motion to found A.M guilty and to sentence him of imprisonment for 3 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain posts or practice certain professions for 2 years, as well as based on Article 70 of the RA Criminal Code not to apply the punishment conditionally, establishing a probation period for 2 years.

The defender agreed with the requested punishment but made a motion to establish a probation period for 1 year, taking into account the fact, that the accused had admitted his guilt and repented of his conduct, had been positively characterized by the Rector of the Institute, hold a PhD in Pedagogical Sciences and had been awarded numerous letters of acknowledgement during his academic activity.

After returning from the consulting room, the Court announced the judgment finding the accused A. M. guilty and sentencing him to the imprisonment of 3 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain posts or practice certain professions for 2 years. But, based on Article 70 of the RA Criminal Code the Court imposed the punishment conditionally and established a probation period for 1 year.

The previously selected measure of restraint – the recognizance not to leave was left in force until the judgment would come into force.

Public correspondent
Lusaber Ter-Gevorgyan