The fifth episode of charges against the former Chairman of the RA Urban Development Committee, Vahagn Vermishyan, relates to alleged fraud. His defender Alexander Kochubaev told Iravaban.net in an interview that the episode is connected with Zohrap Hovhannisyan.
Vahagn Vermishyan has been acquitted of this charge. The Court of First Instance found Vermishyan guilty of alleged fraud in this episode, as well as imposing a fine under sanctions of points 1.1 and 2 of part 2 of Article 178 of the previous RA Criminal Code: one thousand times the minimum wage, amounting to 1 million drams.
As his defender presents, in this episode, Vahagn Vermishyan was visited by one of his relatives who had a construction-related problem and needed to obtain a building permit. Vermishyan directed his relative to another company, another architect. Part of the money was transferred at that time, while the rest remained to be paid later.
“This was qualified as fraud. The victim came and was questioned in court, stating that he is not a victim, no damage was caused. On the contrary, the value of such projects in the market was 10 thousand dollars, but with Vahagn Vermishyan’s suggestion, it was designed for 5 thousand dollars. However, in the first instance, Mnatsakan Martirosyan still found Mr. Vermishyan guilty,” said Alexander Kochubaev.
During court sessions, the defender once again reaffirmed his position that this should not have been qualified as fraud, since there were no manifestations of abuse of trust between Vermishyan and Zohrap Hovhannisyan. Hovhannisyan testified that he does not consider himself a victim, that the value of these projects was 5,000 dollars, that the amount was acceptable to him, and that he gave his consent.
The defense substantiates the groundlessness of the fraud charge based on three key facts: the close relationship between Zohrap Hovhannisyan and Vahagn Vermishyan, the initial transparency of the transaction terms, and the fact that the alleged victim received material benefit. Taking into account also Zohrap Hovhannisyan’s clear position about not being a victim and the termination of Zohrab Hovhannisyan’s procedural status as a victim, this episode of the charge lacks legal justification.
Vahagn Vermishyan has not admitted guilt in any episode of the charges brought against him and has demanded acquittal.
Details in the video.
