The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia has found out that $148,535 declared worth of processed diamonds were imported to Armenia from the United Arab Emirates and declared in the name of a company operating in Armenia with a customs value of 72,014,112 drams.

But it turned out that the actual market value of these diamonds is more than 420,000,000 drams, as a result of which less amount was calculated to the state and large customs duties were paid.

The investigation of the respective criminal case initiated at the State Revenue Committee and transferred to the NSS has revealed that A.N., the head of the Licensing and Permits Department of the Ministry of Economy, took a large bribe from the aforesaid company’s owners in order to conceal the real value of these diamonds so as to pay less customs duty, and therefore not to undergo relevant inspection for the purpose of issuing a state control act and to issuing the said act in these conditions. Subsequently, A.N. instructed V.S., the legal adviser of the Minister of Economy, to draw up and present to the company's representatives a false state control act, which he did.

The legal adviser to the Minister of Economy testified and confessed.

A.N. has been arrested on suspicion of taking a large bribe.

The de facto owners of this company operating in Armenia, as well as about a dozen people who suspected or related to this alleged crime have been detained.

The investigation continues.