Vahagn Vermishyan, the former chairman of the RA Urban Development Committee, as is known, has been charged with 7 episodes, one of which relates to architect Jim Torosyan’s medals, for which Gagik Galstyan and Vazgen Poghosyan have also been charged.
In conversation with Iravaban.net, the latter’s defender Alexander Kochubayev stated that bringing charges in this episode is absurd, and there is a time gap here. An appeal has also been filed for this episode.
“This is perhaps the most painful aspect of this criminal case. We have renowned architect Jim Torosyan, whose relatives were selling his personal belongings at Vernissage, and this, naturally, could not leave Vahagn Vermishyan indifferent; he bought them and donated the medals to the museum,” he said.
Note that in October 2019, Gagik Galstyan came to Vermishyan’s office and, being aware of the acquisition of commemorative medals, gave $5,000, stating that Vermishyan shouldn’t bear this expense alone. The Committee head didn’t want to take the money since he was financially secure, but to avoid offending Gagik Galstyan, he took it and promised to donate the amount to the museum fund. The prosecution qualified the “desire to participate” in purchasing these medals as a bribe – for patronage by an official in favor of Vagen Poghosyan and Gagik Galstyan in terms of service, as well as for performing any action within his authority and contributing to actions in their favor by using his official position.
For this episode, the Anti-Corruption Court had imposed a sentence of 5 years imprisonment, but the Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals has increased the punishment for the same episode, finding Vermishyan guilty and sentencing him to 6 years imprisonment.
Recall that Vahagn Vermishyan has not pleaded guilty to any of the episodes of the charges brought against him and has demanded acquittal.
Details in the video.